BGen Cabreros grace the 15th IB Change of command ceremony

 By Jun Enriquez

BGen. Harold N. Cabreros, AFP, 3rd ID Commander, delivered 

a message during the 15th IB Change of Command ceremony  

Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte (May 20, 2016) – It was one year, ten months and 8 days, sometime in August 2014. Lt. Col. Leomar Jose M. Doctolero INF (GSC) PA, in his message said, he stood in the same ground in Bagumbayan to say his first hello as Commander of the 15^th Infantry “Warrior” Battalion Philippine Army, but during this day he will bid goodbye. He extended thanks to all those who contributed their success. He extended thanks to his former Division Commanders of the 3^rd Infantry Division, Major General Aurelio B. Baladad and Major General Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero. During the ceremony he submitted his accomplishment report to BGen Harold N. Cabreros, Commander of the 3^rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the presiding officer of the ceremony. He also acknowledged former immediate past and present Brigade Commanders Col. Gilbert Gapay and Col. William Alunday, for the utmost trust and confidence extended to him during his tour of duty.

From R-L, Lt. Col. Mongao, BGen Cabreros, Lt. Col. Doctolero & emcee 

Doctolero said the Province of Lanao del Norte is the greatest gift of all for the trust and cooperation extended by its people to secure the peace. He mentioned the “Gawad Kalinga”, a private and religious organization was the main partner in all their “Kalinga sa Bayan” activities with other stakeholders. Kalinga sa Bayan is a peacebuilding activity for the children and the youth. He also extended his gratitude to the Philippine National Police (PNP) as their counterpart in peace and security, including the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for their support and cooperation in peace and development.

BGen Cabreros received token

Doctolero extended his heartfelt thanks to all the Officers men and women in the 15^th IB in supporting and standing by him especially in the difficult times. He said “We were able to be in the Army closer to the people and we have done our part more importantly of winning the peace”. He said the recently held elections was managed to enjoy the first ever peaceful elections conducted in many years.

Doctolero said “ours is success measured not by the numbers of encounters over the numbers of enemies killed nor by firearms recovered, but it is measured by a meaningful success of how much we touch the lives of the people and contributed to their well-being by looking the performance in the past years. It’s time to recognize not only the achievements but also our mistakes and apologized shortcomings as Battalion commander. He said sorry to those ranks discharged, demoted, reprimanded and relieved. He said their responsibility is an enormous one in the protection and service to the Filipino people. Doctolero said the 15^th IB in Lanao del Norte ay “hindi pwde ang pewde na”.

Doctolero extended the best of luck to his successor Lt. Col. Audie Mongao INF (GSC) PA, his classmate in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1988 under the Gulf Company, the best company in their class.

Incoming Commander of 15^th IB, Lt. Col. Audie A. Mongao INF (GSC) PA, extended his thanks to the presiding officer, BGen Harold N. Cabreros AFP, Commander , 3ID PA. He extend his appreciation to the leadership of Lt. Col. Doctolero for the good stewardship of the 15^th IB. Mongao said that 15^th IB is memorable to him because in mid 1980s it was the armed unit in Iloilo province of UP cadet officers ROTC training. The same unit replaced the 10^th IB in Poona Piagapo and he served as battalion Ex – O in 2009 under the former commander Col. Jambala.

Lt. Col. Mongao assured the men and women in 15^th IB that he will continue the projects and activities started by predecessor with able competence, honesty and integrity. The Province of Lanao del Norte as the main beneficiary on peace and security is also assured. Mongao assured that 15^th IB will continue its support to the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

In his message, Brigadier General (BGen) Harold N. Cabreros, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) congratulated the two commanders, Lt. Col. Doctolero and Lt. Col Mongao for leading the 15^th IB. Cabreros said every change of command is a milestone for the Philippine Army and its commanders involved. It signifies an end as well as the beginning and highlights Army’s undying service as an institution to serve and defend. He said “today’s change of command accelerate our trust  towards the fulfillment of the Armys reform initiative”. He said that this demonstrate the Army’s dynamism and also rationalizes the job placement of the military officers. In this endeavor will take one step further towards becoming a genuinely professional army.

LTC Doctolero handed his report to
BGen Cabreros

Cabreros said that the "outgoing commander is known to be a competent leader of 15th IB based on the gains of success, was a clear manifestation of his commitment to our Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan, in pursuing the battalion in peace and security operations and programs in this region". Cabreros said the battalion gained the support from the Local Government Units (LGU) through the local chief executives and other government and non-government offices and organizations and the entire civil society. He hopes Lt. Col. Doctolero to carry on the same dedication, commitment and enthusiasm as he handle higher and sensitive position

BGen Cabreros congratulated Lt. Col. Mongao to have the 15^th IB with enormous task and responsibility at hand and take the lead in winning the peace in the region based on the campaign plan. BGen Cabreros said “Audie the challenge is now on your shoulder and focus the demand with full commitment in the implementation of our campaign plan in collaboration of stakeholders complementary to the IPSP Bayanihan.” He further said “let the meaningful change, peace and security will help benefit the 15^th IB organization, LGU and local communities, and Continue performing your duties  with utmost dedication and par excellence.”

BGen Cabreros urged the members of the 15^th IB to give support and cooperation to Lt. Col. Mongao in fulfilling IPSP bayanihan and Army transformation roadmap (ATR) imperatives. Cabreros gave guidance in winning the peace and attaining sustainable development in their Area of responsibility (AOR) by sharing the idea of David Osborne about culture strategies which are effective tools in development and management with three approaches, these are the Changing habits, Touching hearts and Winning minds which better aligned in IPSP Bayanihan ATR imperatives. By changing habits is to correct the mistakes in the past. Touching hearts is to show sincerity in attaining peace and development. Winning minds is to help our people to realize the wrong premise indoctrinated by the enemy of the state.

BGen Cabreros delivered a message

As a policy BGen Cabreros reiterated the word Obedience to abide. There are six factors of obedience to instill in the minds of the soldiers to obey. First, as soldiers must have sworn to serve our country and love of our people; second, obey the laws of the land, the constitution, rules and regulations and ordinances; third, obey the Laws of nature, respect the God-given blessings, the nature; Fourth, obey our own rules and regulations; Fifth, we have to obey our obligations and commitment to our family. He said we always obey the laws but forget to obey the commitment to our families; Sixth, we have to obey the Words of our Almighty. Soldiers should learn to obey. The change of command ceremony is just part of the system in the military. BGen Cabreros presided the 15^th IB change of command ceremony because 15^th IB is under the 3^rd ID based in Amindan, Capiz covers Bohol, Cebu and Panay Island, as their area of responsibility. However, the 15^th IB was only augmented or borrowed by the 1^st Infantry Division based in Pulakan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, to be assigned in Mindanao. the Change of command ceremony was attended by the LGU officials, Civil Society Leaders, Military and Police officers, business and religious sectors.