Ex-AFP-PAO chief now heads Army battalion in Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 22): Ex-AFP-PAO chief now heads Army battalion in Mindanao

A former chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines PubLic Affairs Office (AFP-PAO) now heads the 33rd Infantry Battalion based here and vowed Wednesday he will make the "Makabayan" battalion excel in many aspects.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold M. Cabunoc assumed post as the commanding officer of 33rd Infantry (Makabayan) Battalion on Tuesday, replacing Lieutenant Colonel Ricky P. Bunayog in a Change of Command Ceremony presided over by Brig Gen. Arnel dela Vega, 6th Infantry Division commander at 33IB Headquarters in Barangay Tual, President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat.

Bunayog will serve full time as the assistant chief of staff for operations.

Prior to his assignment as 33rd IB battalion commander, Cabunoc was head of the AFP's special project concerning Indigenous Peoples in Davao region.

Cabunoc resigned as AFP-PAO chief after then Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri assumed as AFP chief in July 2015. He assumed his post as the PAO chief of the AFP in October 2014.

Cabunoc told his subordinates the battalion should excel in all military operations, including peace advocacy to tow the line of 6th ID direction.

He said the battalion, under his leadership, must give priority to the peace process in southern Philippines without abandoning its duties of securing and assuring the safety of Filipinos.

Based in President Quirino, the 33rd IB includes in its area of operations the towns of Quirino, Isulan, Lambayong, Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province and the towns of Buluan, Datu Paglas, Mangudadatu, Paglat and SK Pendatun.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=966215