ILOILO City – The 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine Army officially welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony held at Camp Colonel Monteclaro in Barangay Igtuba, Miag-ao, Iloilo, on Tuesday, July 22.
Major General Michael Samson, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), presided over the turnover of leadership from outgoing 61IB commander Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos to incoming commander Lieutenant Colonel Jekyll Dulawan, a former executive officer of the 301st Brigade in Camp Hernandez, Dingle town.
Balgos, who served the 61IB for three years, will now head the 3ID’s training school.
“Today is not merely a change in leadership – it is a reaffirmation of our unbreakable commitment to peace, stability, and the protection of the people,” Samson said.
The 3ID commander acknowledged the professionalism and courage of Balgos especially in the campaign against insurgents. He said he delivered exemplary leadership as his battalion had initiated 8,943 various combat operations which led to 17 encounters against the rebels and dismantling the Southern Front, Komiteng Rehiyon Panay.
These accomplishments declared Antique and Iloilo provinces as stable internal peace and security areas.
On the other hand, Samson believed that Dulawan can deliver effectively because of his experiences.
“I trust the new 61IB commander that he can do better especially against insurgency and maintaining peace and order especially in Antique and Iloilo provinces,” he said.
Dulawan, for his part, assured that he will keep Antique and Iloilo’s stable internal peace and security status.
“Through the help of our men, the community, and other stakeholders we can achieve our mission to make Panay Island insurgency-free,” Dulawan added./PN
