THE Army's 1st Infantry Division (ID) held its Year-end Accomplishment Report and Commander's Guidance for calendar year 2021, featuring the presence of junior officers in two separate venues this week.
The 1ID said in a statement that the event was conceptualized after the cancellation of the traditional New Year's call that supposed to be attended by Brigade, Battalion and other Combat and Service Support commanders.
The 1ID said the first leg of the activity was held Monday, January 18, at the 102nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Sanito village, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay with 65 junior officers occupying company commander and platoon leader positions in the different maneuver and combat support units in Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental and Basilan provinces in attendance.
Eight outstanding officers were awarded with the command plaque for their meritorious achievements in combat for the 2020 during that January 18 event.
Six of them are from the 44th Infantry Battalion (IB). They are First Lieutenant Darwin Sonio, Second Lieutenant Psalmody Ordillano, and Second Lieutenant Rogene Urmeneta, who were awarded for their efforts that resulted in the dismantling of three guerrilla fronts of the communist New People's Army (NPA); and First Lieutenant Jestoni Labarosa, Second Lieutenant Jerick Serra, and Second Lieutenant Wilson Emerson Diep, who were recognized for their actions against Abu Sayyaf-affiliated auxiliary threat groups.
"This is a testament to the excellence that the Army embodies, as well as our continued commitment towards lasting peace," said Lieutenant Colonel Don Templonuevo, 44IB commander.
The awarding ceremony was presided by the Brigadier General Bagnus Gaerlan, 1ID assistant commander, representing Major General Generoso Ponio, 1ID commander.
Also present was Brigadier General Leonel Nicolas, 102nd Infantry Brigade commander.
The second leg of the activity was held Wednesday, January 20, at the headquarters of the 1ID in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur with 54 junior officers occupying the same positions from different units operating in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte provinces in attendance.
The two activities were presided by Gaerlan on behalf of Ponio, 1ID commander.
Gaerlan congratulated the officers for their achievements in the year 2020.
Gaerlan further urged the junior officers to carry on, remain professional and sustain the momentum of accomplishments gained by the command. (SunStar Zamboanga)