‘Deliver our mission’

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Brigadier General Benedict Arevalo, commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade (IBde), told the members of the 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) to deliver their mandate for peace and development in Negros Island.

Arevalo was welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Randy Pagunuran, 94th IB commander, when he met the troops during his visit at the 94th IB headquarters in Barangay McKinley, Guihulngan City on July 7, 2019.

“I am happy to finally meet and receive the 94th IB as the newest battalion of the 303rd IBde in the fight against the terrorist Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF),” Arevalo said.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to deliver the mission that were supposed to do here, and that is to provide peace and security that will contribute to the development of the Negros Island.”

The 94th “Mandirigma “ IB is a newly organized battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) which was activated on May 4, 2018 by retired Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito Bautista, former commanding general of the Philippine Army.

“Inaasahan ko na patutunayan ninyo na ‘Mandirigma’ kayo sa mga combat operations and other operations natin dito,” Arevalo said.

The battalion was responsible for the security of the entire Negros Oriental, but recently their area of coverage was adjusted to only the first district of the province, following the realignment of forces and operational boundaries of the two Army brigades in Negros Island on July 1.

It was previously under the supervision of 302nd IBde commander, Brigadier General Ignacio Madriaga.

“But even before the battalion was placed under 303rd IBde, it was already a significant contributor in the brigade’s mission accomplishment. Without your contribution, we will not be able to do our mission here in Negros Oriental, so continue what you’re doing,” Arevalo said.

Arevalo thanked the 94th IB for its contribution in the success of the overall campaign of the Army in Negros.

“It is very important that 94th IB accomplishes its tasks in Negros Oriental in order for the other battalions – 15th IB, 62nd IB, and 79th IB to make Negros Occidental peaceful,” Arevalo said.

The 303rd IBde now covers the first to fifth districts of Negros Occidental and first district of Negros Oriental.