New Army brigade Bicol chief named

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 6): New Army brigade Bicol chief named

To accelerate the operational tempo in the government’s war against insurgency while keeping track and upholding human rights is the marching order of Army Colonel Greg Almelor, the newly installed commanding officer of the Army's 903rd Brigade in Sorsogon.

Almelor, addressing his command on Tuesday, said that in winning the peace, “we have to focus and increase the phase of our operational strategies based on the given template laid down by the higher command.”

While advising his staff and battalion commanders to set their hearts and mind in achieving their mission, he also directed them to “go back to basic” by learning their strength and weaknesses.

Almelor replaced Brigadier Gen. Fernando Trinidad who was given a tour of duty at the Army’s General Headquarters while waiting for his second-star promotion.

In an interview Tuesday night, Almelor expressed confidence that despite the challenges ahead, their mission will be fulfilled with the full support given by various stakeholders.

Almelor, a native of Davao City, is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1989, "Makatao” batch.

The Army’s 903rd Brigade based in Castilla town in Sorsogon has four battalions with over a thousand soldiers who operate in the provinces of Sorsogon and Masbate.

The command turnover ceremony held on Tuesday at the 903rd brigade command in Castilla, Sorsogon was officiated by Maj. Gen Manolito Orense, commanding general of the Army 9th Infantry Division.
The brigade under the leadership of BGen Trinidad reported that their combat operations from January 2017 to date have neutralized at least 71 suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels -- six of them killed, 17 captured and 48 surrendered.

The operations also yielded 35 high powered firearms, 54 handguns and shotguns, 50 improvised explosive devices, a grenade, five communication equipment and insurgents' war materials.

Report said military operations have led to the clearing of 15 insurgency-affected villages in Sorsogon and 16 in Masbate.

These also paved the way for the declaration of Sorsogon province as "Conflict Manageable and Development Ready Province" in Bicol.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1008687