By Jun Enriquez
Video
File: Col. Gilbert I. Gapay CAV (GSC) PA, delivered his farewell message during
the change of command ceremony of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade,
Philippine Army, Ma. Cristina, Iligan City.
From left-right: Col. Gilbert I. Gapay GSC (CAV) PA; BGen. Edgar F. Gonzales AFP; and Col. William A.
Alunday CAV (GSC) PA.
Alunday CAV (GSC) PA.
At left, Col. Gapay turnover the Brigade's flag to BGen. Gonzales (center), then BGen. Gonzales turnoverthe flag to Col. Alunday. |
Col. Alunday delivered his acceptance message. |
Col. Gapay said that the tour of
duty along with the expectation he confronted has indeed painful feeling and
enlightening experienced as he relearned the many fundaments from his very own
men and from the people and the communities that they have served. It was a
journey of rediscovering and affirming of the army’s/ soldiers’ versatility and
resiliency as they endeavor to fulfill their goals and mandated tasks. Thus for
all the accomplishments, all the experiences and victories he extended his thanks
foremost the devoted, hardworking to the brave soldiers of the 2nd
Mechanized Brigade.
BGen. Gonzales delivered his ceremonial message. |
Mrs. Gapay, (3rd from left) & Col. Gapay (4th from left) with the members of the media & Capt. Doroteo (right). |
The new Brigade commander, Col.
William A. Alunday, PMA graduate of class 1987, in his acceptance message said,
“I believe I am here today by the grace of our God Almighty, who has given me
the strength and firm determination all these years. I feel that the best move
at this early stage is to build what were initiated and established by my
predecessor that is sustaining the primacy of the peace process in our area of
operations, in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City, revolving around in the intent
of the internal peace and security plan and of the Army transformation road
map.” Col. Alunday pledged that he will
share the vision of the division to be reliable, capable and responsive armor
unit. He said it is also imperative that we all work as one, we must pull our
talents and work together, initiate align complimentary program that will be
beneficial to the people and for this Government. And He will work closely with
the LGU, neighboring infantry units, local security counterparts, religious
sector, academe, business and civilian sector.
Col. Alunday said “Our plans and
programs should be relevant to the needs of those who we serve and support,
these will be realized thru continuing dialogues and consultation to the higher
headquarters, troop’s on the ground, local leaders and our civilian
counterparts.” He said “the coming of the local and national elections, let us
all remain neutral to ensure an honest, orderly, peaceful and credible
political exercise. I am confident that I will be leading a brigade that is
versatile and flexible, firm yet humane, one that is characterized by
sensitivity to learn from our experiences, our mistakes and above all able
synergize the talents and wisdom everyone has to offer.”
Col. Alunday said that the
challenge he is facing now is to sustain the Brigade’s gains, enhance the
distinct advantage on enemies and maintain the initiatives. He said there is a need
to work harder to further improve peace and order condition which is necessary
to national development. “We must and we will be prepared and committed to
deter defeat any adversary that seeks to deny us the peace, stability and
capacity to improve the people of Lanao del Norte and Iligan City, and the
whole of Mindanao that deserves,” Alunday concluded.
In his message, Brigadier General
Edgar F. Gonzales, PMA graduate of class 1984, the presiding officer during the
ceremony shared his views about the three significant things during change of command;
first, it recognizes and summarizes the achievements of the outgoing commander,
second, it opens up windows of opportunities for the outgoing and incoming
commanders, third; it gives another energy, vigor and pathway to the unit.
Gen. Gonzales said this turnover
ceremony is a memorable event in which the 2nd Mechanized Brigade
changes along with the transfer of unit’s history, traditions and
accomplishments. This will serve a new environment to senior officers to
demonstrate their flexibility and versatility in carrying out tasks
effectively. Gonzales extended his message to Col. Gapay and said, “The unit
was able to institutionalize purposing on deterrence posture through active defense
in front line detachment and engaging stakeholders, peace advocates. This lead
to the notable declaration of Lanao del Norte province as peaceful and ready
for further development last Dec 7, 2015. This also proves that IPSP Bayanihan
campaign is applicable not only in Central Luzon but also in Mindanao area.”
Gen. Gonzales also extended his message
to Col. Alunday and said “I confidently believe in your dedication and
professionalism thus the outgoing commander will feel at ease knowing the unit
is in good hands. Your experiences as Executive officer, platoon and
company commander of Bravo Company 64th Infantry Battalion, 6th
Infantry Division from 1987 – 1990 and designation as 1st Mechanized
Infantry Battalion Commander from 2008 to 2010 kept you to be familiarized and
acquainted in some parts of your area of responsibility.” Finally he said, “There
is no progress without compromise and no glory without sacrifice.”
Jun Enriquez, Pres. of the Magbalantay Press Corps (MPC); Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao (MMM) awarded citation to Col. Gilbert I. Gapay. |
Musa Sanguila, Director of the Pakigdait, Inc. and lead convener of the Bantay Kalilintad, a local network of the Bantay Bayanihan, a nationwide network composed of the civil society organizations to function as an oversight counterpart of the IPSP Bayanihan of the military gave plaque citation award to Col. Gapay cited among others, In grateful recognition of his
contribution to Peace and Development in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte, in
the adherence to the ceasefire mechanism and his commitments on the primacy of
the GPH-MILF peace process. This included his invaluable support in sustaining
the rehabilitation, peace and development for the MNLF members and help
settling Clan dispute or “rido” during his tour of duty. This is a great
manifestation in the fulfillment of Brigade’s mission, “Guardian of Peace and
Partner in Development,” and sincere implementation of the AFP Internal Peace
and Security Plan (IPSP) – Bayanihan in partnership with the Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs).
The media also
cited, It is a public knowledge that
there was no any untoward incidence of conflict escalated in his area of
responsibility, by exhausting all preventive measures in peaceful means from
the many controversies arises during his tour of duty as Commander of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay”
Brigade, Philippine Army. He has also established accessibility of open line
communication to all stakeholders of peace, including the Media, to preempt the
disinformation campaign and contain provocations from the potential conflict
controversies for the protection, safety and security of the civilian populace. It was
also cited that Col. Gapay set as a global model of Military leadership towards
the whole of nation approach by winning the peace.
Also present during the ceremony was General Demy Tejares, Philippine Army, Deputy commander of the Western Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the predecessor of Col. Gapay. Also present were the four Battalion Commanders under the 2nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, with the presence of the former MNLF leader in Lanao del Norte, together with the representatives from the International Monitoring Team (IMT), Non-violent Peaceforce (NP), an International NGO based in Iligan City, the Local monitoring team (LMT), and other military officers coming from different military units in Mindanao. On the same day, a change of command ceremony was held for the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion based in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, with Lt. Col. Galileo Jon Goyena CAV (GSC) PA assumed post and replaced Col. Denie Mar Clemencia CAV (GSC) PA, as the new Battalion commander of the said unit. With reports & Photo by Jacmen Macatimbol.
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