Aguinaldo assumes as 25th commander of 102nd IB

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay - Col. Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr. has assumed as the new commanding officer of the 102^nd Infantry “IGSOON” Brigade based in this town. Former brigade commander BGen Ignacio A. Obligacion takes on his new post as Assistant Division Commander of the 9^th Infantry Division in Camarines Sur.

The Change of Command Ceremony was held on April 16, 2015 at the 102^nd Brigade headquarters, Sanito, Ipil, this province with BGen Gerardo F. Barrientos Jr., 42^nd commander of the premier division, the 1^st Infantry “Tabak” Division, as guest of honor and presiding officer.

“One of the finest traditions in the profession of arms is the passing of command from one officer to the other. It entails a completion of his tour of duty and a sense of fulfilment,” General Barrientos said.

Barrientos said when he left 102^nd Brigade in 2013, he had high hopes that Obligacion would catapult the unit not only maintaining its stature as the number one brigade of the 1^st ID but also to maintain the rapport that has been established from among their constituents.

“The 102^nd brigade was at the forefront in addressing the Zamboanga siege in  2013. Though we lost some of our soldiers, their loss was not in vain,” Barrientos  recalled. He cited Obligacion as a worthy commander and deserving of his new post as Assistant Division Commander of the 9^th Infantry Division based in Camarines Sur.

He said another very competent officer is leading 102^nd  IB in the person of  Col. Andres S. Aguinaldo Jr., former deputy brigade commander of the 103^rd IB in Marawi City.

In his message, Obligacion said there were only two things in his mind when he came  one year and eight months ago. First was the accomplishment of the mission, and second was the welfare of the men.

“To everyone, salamat sa cooperation and support, and for the friendship which I will treasure and bring with me in my new assignment, and even when I retire from service a few months from now,” Obligacion  fondly affirmed.

On the other hand, Aguinaldo extolled the excellent command and leadership of  Obligacion, thus achieving a significant mark in upholding the primacy of the peace process and spearheading local and national development initiatives.

“All your deeds for the unit will be my guiding post and benchmark in this new designation as the 25^th commander of this unit. Rest assured that I will uphold the same objectives of sustaining the peace process, intensifying developmental efforts in our AOR and enhancing military capability and readiness,” Aguinaldo assured.