Saturday, April 6, 2019

Outgoing army commander thanks LGUs, public support

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 6, 2019): Outgoing army commander thanks LGUs, public support


Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot, outgoing commander of the Philippine Army's 61st Infantry Battalion, expresses his gratitude to local government units and the local populace for the support in the Army's fight against the rebels during his stint. Magbalot will leave his post on Sunday (April , 2019). (File photo)

The outgoing commander of the Philippine Army’s 61st Infantry Battalion (IB) has expressed his gratitude to the support of the local government units and the public in the fight against the New People’s Army (NPA).

Outgoing Lt. Col. Sisenando Magbalot had seen the Komite Rehiyon (KR) Panay as one of the challenges of the Army during his stint as 61st IB commander.

Magbalot served as commander since May 19, 2017 and will leave the post Sunday.


A turn-over of command will be held on Sunday morning in the 61st IB Headquarters at Camp Monteclaro, Barangay Igtuba, Miag-ao, Iloilo.

He will be replaced by Lt. Col. Joel Benedict Batara whom Magbalot said “had been long trained to become commander.”

“One of the challenges during my stint is the Komite Rehiyon Panay which is considered as an active regional party committee in the entire country. We consider them as potent threat,” he said in a phone interview on Saturday.

Magbalot said that the KR Panay was not able to inflict any casualty or attack vital installations because of the coordination of the local government units and the local populace.

The 61st IB covers the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, and Antique.

“The operations of the 61st will continue to ensure security of Panay,” he said.

Magbalot took pride of the 26 encounters with the rebels during his time as commander.

Under his leadership, the Army was able to neutralize 17 front and regional leaders of the NPA and recover 11 high-powered and several low-powered firearms.


Although he was unable to provide the number, he said many regular members of the NPA and Militia ng Bayan surrendered and availed of the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“We believe that the forces of the rebels weakened though these accomplishments,” he said.

Magbalot added that through the efforts of the Army and coordination of the public, the rebels failed to disrupt vital installations in the region like the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) in Calinog, Iloilo.

He expressed confidence that his successor will work hard to secure the people and the ongoing projects of the government.

Magbalot also took pride of the performance of the Army under the battalion whom he worked with.

“I don’t tolerate abuse among them and I always tell them that we are here to serve,” he said.

Magbalot is yet to be informed of his next assignment but if given the opportunity, he said he hopes to continue his service in Panay.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1066676

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