62 soldiers promoted to next rank

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Sixty-two soldiers assigned in northern Negros Occidental have been promoted to the next rank.

Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Calaoagan, commander of the Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (IB), led the donning and pinning of ranks of 59 enlisted personnel and three officers in a ceremony witnessed by their families at their headquarters in Barangay Bato, Sagay City last Saturday.

In his message, Calaoagan stressed how vital the role of the family is in a soldier’s sacrifice and commitment to their performance of duties.

“Let us not forget that in every step of a dedicated soldier’s achievements, there’s a family, a wife, a son and daughter, a mother and father who share the burden of sacrificing their happiness for the sake of duty and service,” Calaoagan said.

Calaoagan said that sleepless nights in the mountains and dedication to duty earned them this promotion, which enables them to take on greater responsibilities and lead by example.

He added that this recognition will serve as inspiration in their quest for stable internal peace and security in their area of responsibility.

Among the newly promoted officers and personnel were Captain Ricky Bartolome, battalion operations officer; 1st Lieutenant Dan Carlo Samoza, batallion’s Civil-Military Operations (CMO) officer; 1st Lieutenant Atinna Marie Nerona, battalion headquarters commandant; and Sergeant Mateo Aguiling, CMO chief.

Likewise, a pinning of a unit seal was also conducted to the two newly-assigned enlisted personnel and two officers – Major Ronald Ebdalin, batallion executive officer, and Captain Michael Deaño, battalion supply and logistics officer, which expresses the unit’s acceptance and encouraged them to perform and contribute in attaining the unit’s mission.

The said activity concluded with a boodle fight and fellowship, which is the unit’s tradition that ties the bond of the endless brotherhood and camaraderie of the 79th IB troopers.