New Bicol Army commander vows to raise soldiers’ morale

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 11): New Bicol Army commander vows to raise soldiers’ morale

The newly installed commander of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division, the counter-insurgency unit in Bicol region, vows to raise the morale of the soldiers under his command by implementing programs that benefit them.

Major Gen. Jesus Manangquil, the 14th commanding general of the 9th ID, said his leadership was oriented towards the improvement of the morale of the soldiers operating in Bicol.

Manangquil replaced Brig. Gen. Danilo Isleta, who was promoted as chief of staff, the third highest rank in the Philippine Army. Both are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1985.

“I will guide the soldiers in the right way to accomplish their mission to achieve peace and prosperity in the Bicol region,” Manangquil said.

In an interview, he said he wanted to connect with the communist rebels on the agenda of peace because the region’s people would suffer if the fight continues.

“There is nothing good if the fighting between Filipinos continue. We know that any area will not prosper if there is fighting,” he said.

Manangquil said he would not negotiate with the communist rebels but he encouraged them to go down from the mountains and join the efforts to develop the region.

He also said President Rodrigo Duterte himself has not closed the doors to peace.

Manangquil said that because the communist rebels in Mindanao understood the President’s call for peace, 700 of them surrendered last year.

Before his appointment as 9th ID commander, Manangquil served as head of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.

He was also assigned in Mindanao as commander of the 101st Battalion and later as deputy commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Manangquil hails from General Santos City.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1021306