By Gideon C. Corgue
LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur – Lt. Col. Charlemagne Batayola Jr. has assumed Thursday as the new
commander of the 1st Cavalry Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division,
Philippine Army, which is based here, vice Lt. Col. Antonio John Divinigracia
who has been transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissary
Exchange Service (AFPCES), General Headquarters, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon
City.
In a change of command ceremony held
at Camp Jacobe E. Zobel here, MGen. Mayoralgo Dela Cruz, Mechanized Infantry
Division commander and the event’s guest of honor and speaker, said the
transfer of military officials to their new assignments “is one of the programs
and reforms implemented by the higher command” to provide quality of service to
the stakeholders. “These measures are continuing steps to realize our vision of
becoming a world class army that is a source of national pride,” he added.
Apart from our intent to institute
changes, Dela Cruz said, “this activity demonstrates flexibility and
versatility of our senior officers in the 1st Cavalry Squadron in
carrying out their tasks effectively in the different working environments and
more importantly, this also endeavors to rationalize the job placement of our
officers as we hope to attain efficiency among them.”
Dela Cruz also commended
Divinagracia for his efforts that contributed to the accomplishment of the
army’s mission in the region.
“Your efforts are definitely not in
vain for you have contributed much to the accomplishment of our mission in this
part of region. Indeed, you have delivered
your duty exceptionally well,” Dela Cruz stressed.
With the incoming commander’s
enthusiasm and adherence to the army’s mandate, Dela Cruz believed he would
continue to propel the unit to significant achievements through his personal
and professional undertakings.
“I want you to focus on your role
as new commander in this unit. Build up
your knowledge and experience while establishing stronger networks to our key
stakeholders,” he urged adding “take pride in the uniform you wear as you
perform your patriotic duty as protector of the people and the state like what
you did during the Zamboanga crisis in September 2013.”
“Let us preserve our gains and
continue working with the different agencies of government as we fulfill our
mission for the people of Western Mindanao. We should not rest in our laurels.
Instead, we let our accomplishments challenge us to do more and continually
pursue excellence in all our undertakings,” Dela Cruz concluded.