Army's 4th Infantry Battalion gets new commander

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 24, 2019): Army's 4th Infantry Battalion gets new commander

BULALACAO, Oriental Mindoro – The 4th Infantry Battalion (4IB) under the 203rd Brigade of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division (2ID), has a new commanding officer.

Lt. Col. Alexander Arbolado assumed the post on Saturday, after which he immediately embarked on a Focused Military Operation. He succeeded Lt. Col Dennis Gutierrez, who completed his two-year stint as battalion commander.

Maj. Gen. Rhoderick M. Parayno, 2ID commanding general, presided over the turn-over ceremony in Barangay Cambunang here. He expressed his deepest appreciation for the accomplishments contributed by the outgoing commanding officer.

"Under your excellent supervision, the 4IB has maximized its ability and performance to win the peace in Mindoro particularly in Sablayan, Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay of Occidental Mindoro and Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong of Oriental Mindoro," the 2ID commander told Gutierrez.

Parayno also entrusted the battalion’s flag to the newly installed 4IB commanding officer, saying “we are now entrusting to you the Scorpion troopers.”

“Truly, your predecessor left many inspiring accomplishments for this unit and surpassing these accomplishments is a big challenge for you. You really have a big shoe to fill in. But I have confidence in you,” he told Arbolado.

Parayno also thanked the members of the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders in Mindoro Oriental for their presence in the ceremony and support to the military.

Military officials said the change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding or flag officer to another.

They explained that the solemn passing of the unit color (flag) from an outgoing to the incoming commander ensures the unit and its soldiers have put in place the official leadership as a symbol of the continuation of trust of the soldiers and their allegiance to their unit commander.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1062840