Pagadian City native is new Army chief in Southern Panay

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A native of Pagadian City officially assumed as chief of the 61st Infantry Battalion, the Philippine Army unit operating in Southern Panay.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold Garcia succeeded Colonel Joel Benedict Batara, who helmed the 61st IB since April 2019, following a turnover of command ceremony at the battalion’s headquarters in Camp Monteclaro, Miag-ao, Iloilo,

Major General Eric Vinoya, 3rd Infantry Division commander, led the rites held June 15, 2021.

Garcia, the outgoing Executive Officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, joined the military service in July 2000 through the Officer Candidate Course.

He was assigned to the 51st Infantry Battalion based in Zamboanga del Norte in 2001 until 2014. He was later transferred at the Philippine Army Human Rights Office until 2017.

Garcia was then reassigned to the Philippine Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.

In 2019, he was designated as 303rd IB’s executive officer until his appointment as the new chief of the 61st IB.

Batara is slated to assume a post at the AFP Central Command in Cebu City.

Meanwhile, Vinoya acknowledged Batara’s accomplishments and cited the latter’s relentless efforts to lead and supervise the men and women of 61IB during his stint.

“This unit notably inflicted serious losses to the enemy especially the Southern Front of Komiteng Rehiyon in Panay through series of encounters which resulted to several body counts, numerous captured CNT personalities, firearms, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices in the area of operation,” Vinoya said,

Batara was awarded the Military Merit Medal for his meritorious service as 61st IB commander,

Vinoya challenged Garcia to go the extra mile in leading the battalion by “continuing its productive efforts and pursue fresh initiatives to widen the path towards achieving its mission in support to the campaign of 3ID.”

“It will not be an easy task, but with your utmost dedication, it will bring the best out of you as the Commanding Officer and I expect that you will whole-heartedly accept the accountability, not only in the pursuit of the mission through operations, but as well as the manager of the resources this unit has especially our soldiers,” Vinoya said.