Army's 2nd Mech Bde hold change of command ceremony for new commander

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.

At left, Col. Gapay turnover the Brigade's flag to BGen. Gonzales
(center), then BGen. Gonzales turnoverthe flag to Col. Alunday.

Iligan City (Feb. 15, 2016) – It was one year and two months for Col. Gilbert I. Gapay served as the commander of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry “Magbalantay” Brigade, Philippine Army, based in Ma. Cristina, Iligan City. A change of command ceremony was conducted to relieve Gapay from the current post and move to a higher position of his new assignment as the Deputy Commander of the Mechanized Division based in Tarlac. He will be promoted soon to a rank of Brigadier General and expected to be a potential candidate as Division Commander of the Army’s Mechanized Division this year. A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1986, received various citation awards from different stakeholders and partners during the ceremony. There were several invited guests from LGU and government officials, CSO Leaders, academe, business, industries, civic clubs, media, among others.

Col. Alunday delivered his acceptance message.

In his farewell message, Col. Gapay said It has been one year and two months since he assumed command in the 2^nd Mechanized “Magbalantay” Brigade and in the course of time he was fortunate to have worked with the team of hardworking, highly competent and very professional officers and decent personnel in accomplishing the overwhelming task and executing missions entrusted to the brigade. Gapay said “We have faced many challenges over the past 14 months but prevailed with the guidance of the Almighty, with the varied talents of the “Magbalantay” troopers.”

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 2^nd Mechanized Brigade.

BGen. Gonzales delivered his ceremonial message.

Col. Gapay stressed further that he knew that the job will be overwhelming, however he accepted the task with soldierly commitment and resolve to prevail and be guided by the strategic precepts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Internal peace and Security Plan (IPSP)-Bayanihan and the Army’s provision road map. He took charge with great faith in the able troops of “Magbalantay” Brigade who have always been up to the task of fulfilling the mandate of serving the people and securing the communities in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City, in their march towards peace and progress. Col. Gapay said that in Lanao del Norte and Iligan City have enjoyed relative peace and stability which served as foundations for sustainable socio-economic development. he said “Through these efforts, I am faithful that Lanao del Norte and all of Mindanao will soon see the dawn of peace that secluded our people for so many generations.” Gapay said that with peace he envision further growth and progress in the region meanwhile the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Magbalantay Brigade shall remain your response partner in this vision. Gapay said indeed, “I will be leaving with a heavy heart but I will bring with me fond memories, camaraderie and solidarity.”

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.”

      Bantay Kalilintad (BK) network members awarded the 
      citation Plaque to Col. Gilbert I. Gapay (center). From left-right, 
     Jenny Sanguila of Pakigdait, Musa Sanguila, Director of Pakigdait 

      lead convener of BK, Adona Orquillas, President, Lanao 

      Alliance for Human Rights Advocates (LAHRA) and 

      Jun Enriquez, Managing Director, CSO Forum for Peace 

      (CSO-FP).

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 2^nd 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 64^th Infantry Battalion, 6^th Infantry Division from 1987 – 1990 and designation as 1^st 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 2^nd 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 2^nd 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.