Armed Forces of the Philippines-Joint Task Force (AFP-JTF) Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana has been designated as the new commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, during the Change of Command ceremony held at Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
(Photo via 603 Persuader Brigade Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
A well-decorated military officer, Sobejana replaced Lt. Gen. Arnel B. Dela Vega who recently took the post as commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) in Zamboanga City.
No less than Army chief Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, graced the turnover ceremony.
The ceremony was highlighted by the giving of plaques of recognition to supportive stakeholders followed by the inauguration and blessing of staff officers’ quarters and pinning of ranks to newly promoted enlisted personnel of the Command.
Sobejana is one of the distinct living heroes of the country being a recipient of “Medal of Valor” for demonstrating bravery and heroism in actual combat. It is distinct and prestigious in the sense that there are only 41 recipients of the most coveted highest military award in the country since 1935.
The new commander of the 6th ID is a professional and well-rounded officer having served in various positions and capacities in the AFP to wit: company and battalion commander, school commandant, and deputy for operations, all with the Army First Scout Ranger Regiment.
He also served as group commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group, executive officer of the Army Resource Management Office, head of the Plans, Policies and Materiel Development Division of the Army Support Command, deputy to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, G7, and chief of the Firepower Division at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4, AFP.
In 2003 to 2004, he also had the chance to serve with the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNMISET) as military observer.
A proud member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1987, Sobejana is also a graduate of various specialized trainings and courses both local and abroad such as Scout Ranger, Special Forces Qualification, Airborne and Scuba Diver courses. He also underwent Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training at Defense School in Sweden; Operations Research Systems Analysis Course at US Army Logistics Management College, Fort Lee, Virginia; Advanced Security Cooperation Course at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii; Command and General Staff Course at AFP Command and General Staff College; and Executive Course on National Security Administration.
He is a bemedalled officer earning voluminous awards such as Medal of Valor, Distinguished Conduct Star, two Distinguished Service Stars, Gold Cross Medal, two Bronze Cross Medals, Wounded Personnel Medal (Purple Heart), and several Military Merit and Commendation Medals. He is also a recipient of numerous Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition. Most significant to his accolades is his being adjudged as The Outstanding Philippines Soldier (Combat Category) in 1995 and in 2012 and the Award of Excellence for Public Service from the Governor of his province, Negros Oriental.
Prior to his post, he was the commander of Joint Task Force-Sulu (JTF-Sulu) with the mandate of addressing the threat of terrorism and oversees the imposition of martial law upon President Duterte’s pronouncement and guidance in Sulu archipelago. This aims to facilitate the establishment of peace and tranquility as well as enhance the process of integration, reconciliation and conflict resolution in the area.
His effort resulted in the snowballing of surrenderers comprised of 76 Abu Sayyaf Group. (ASG) members and turnover of 700 firearms which was presented to the President in one of his visits to Patikul, town of Sulu.
In his message, Bautista encouraged all the “Kampilan troopers” to accord Brig. Gen. Sobejana the same support and commitment that they had given to the former commander. He also encouraged everyone to move forward in unison, and keep in-step to achieve greater heights.
Bautista also emphasized that through teamwork great things can be accomplished.
“The Philippine Army is transforming to become a world-class Army with a world-class system and processes. Recently, we were just inducted in the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame. To sustain this, we need the support and participation of the stakeholders for us to create a more sustainable development in support of the Peace and Development Roadmap of the government under the able leadership of President Duterte” Baustista said.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/05/27/sobejana-named-as-new-commander-of-armys-6th-infantry-division/
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