2 experienced officers assume top Army posts in Region 12, GenSan

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 14): 2 experienced officers assume top Army posts in Region 12, GenSan

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has designated two experienced Army officers to lead its field units here and in parts of Region 12 and the neighboring areas.

Army Col. Tyne Bañas formally assumed on Wednesday as the new acting commanding officer of the Army’s 1002nd Brigade based in Malungon town in Sarangani Province while Col. Diosdado Carreon took over as head of the Joint Task Force (JTF) GenSan.

Bañas, the former commander of the JTF GenSan, replaced Brig. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, who will assume a higher command post.

During the turnover ceremony, which was facilitated by 10th Infantry Division commanding officer Maj. Gen. Rafael Valencia, Villanueva acknowledged the support extended by local stakeholders to their unit in the last two years.

He said the assistance they received helped improve their operations and rollout of various programs and services.

In his stint as 1002nd Brigade commander, the unit achieved an “almost perfect rating” in its general inspection results.

Villanueva urged local government officials, other local leaders and residents to extend the same support and cooperation to Col. Bañas.

“I am turning over the unit to an officer who is committed to sustain the gains that we have so far achieved. I can assure you that the area will be in safe hands,” he said.

The Army’s 1002nd Brigade has operational jurisdiction over portions of the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato in Region 12, and Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental in Region 11.

It also covers the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan and Digos.

Bañas said he will continue with the current programs of the unit and enhance their strategies in line with the campaign against terrorism.

“We will expand our collaborations with the police, local government units, national government agencies and community stakeholders to properly address the threats of terrorism in our areas,” he said.

Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon lauded the designation of Bañas as the new 1002nd Brigade commander as it assures the continuity of the programs started by Villanueva.

He specifically cited the community development initiatives of the unit that “won the hearts of many people in Sarangani.”

“The morale of the unit is very high and we expect that to continue,” the governor said.

Meantime, in a separate turnover ceremony, Col. Carreon vowed to exert all the necessary efforts to ensure that the city will remain safe and secure.

He said the JTF GenSan will take a “holistic approach” in terms of the accomplishment of their mission.

“We will work together will all local stakeholders as we address the threats of terrorism and other related activities within the city,” he said.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said the assignment of Col. Carreon as JTF head is a strategic move since the latter is an “experienced intelligence officer.”

“He has extensive experience in intelligence operations so we expect a better performance from the unit,” he said.

Carreon previously served in various Army units and had a stint as Defense and Armed Forces Attaché in Singapore.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=923141