Col. Azul, new 101stIB Commanding Officer

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, OCT. 31 (PIA)— First Infantry Tabak Division Commanding General, Major General Ricardo Rainier Cruz III has recently installed the new Commanding officer of the 101^st Infantry, Three-Arrows Brigade based at Del Pilar, Zamboanga del Norte.    

In a simple ceremony held recently at the Brigade’s headquarter  Col. Amadeo Foster Azul officially assumed as the new Commanding Officer of 101^st IB, replacing OIC Brigade Commander, Col. Glenn Macasero.

Macasero was designated as Officer-in-Charge of the Brigade last October 2, 2012 after former Brigade Commander Jet V. Belarmino was assigned to the Special Operations Command, based in Cavite.

Azul, a member of Philippine Military “Matikas” Class of 1983, was the former Chief of Staff of the 7^th Infantry Division based in Nueva Ecija prior to his appointment as the 101st Infantry Brigade Commander.

In his acceptance message, Azul vowed to be a role model to the men and women of the brigade and assured his men and the people residing in its area of Responsibility, transparency in the handling of the brigade’s resources in support of President Aquino’s vision of Matuwid na Daan.

He likewise commended the efficient management of Col. Macasero of the Brigade as he acknowledged the intact Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and savings of the brigade for the fourth quarter.

Maj. Gen Cruz enjoined the military personnel and other stakeholders like the Local Government Units in the area to maintain its cooperation and support to the new brigade commander.

Cruz also directed all the personnel of the 10st Infantry Brigade to remain apolitical in the forthcoming political exercise in 2013.

“Always stay in the middle never side to any political group in the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, Macasero is now appointed as the Commander of Task Force Zamboanga. He assumed command the on October 26, 2012.

The turn-over of command was witnessed by the Chief Executives of the different Local Government Units covered by the brigade led by Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn UY, former Piñan Mayor Cecille Jalosjos-Carreon, and other Local Chief Executives of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental as well members of the Philippine National Police(PNP). (JPA/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)