by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, FEB. 14(PIA)---The contribution of six members of the 101st Infantry Brigade were given due recognition during its 42nd founding anniversary celebration at its headquarters in Barangay del Pilar, Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday, February 11, 2012.
Brig. Gen. Roland C. Amarille, !st Infantry Tabak Division, Assistant Division Commander for Operations, assisted by 101st IB Commanding Officer, Col. Jet B. Velarmino personally pinned the awards to the soldier-awardees.
The awardees were Cpl. Elmer D. Alindong and PFC Alkedin Abdurajik (Award of Military Merit Medal); Major Juanito C. Guinita (dental services, Phil. Army); Tsgt. Noel B. Realista and Cpl. Emmanuel G. Alajas (Award of Military Civic Action); and PFC Dean H. de la Cruz(Award of Military Commendation Medal).
In his message, 101st IB Commanding Officer, Col. Jet Belarmino thanked all the Local Chief Executives in the area of responsibility of the brigade for the cooperation and support extended military unit in Zamboanga del Norte, as well as the vital contribution of his officers and enlisted personnel in the performance of their mandated function. However, he clarified that apart from their mandated function as the protector of the Republic, the military has also its developmental responsibility to the community.
Velarmino particularly cited the neutralization of 37 enemy local terrorists, including a high ranking official of communist rebels who was killed in an encounter on May 13, 2011 Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental.
For his part, Amarille, a former 101st IB Commander, who represented the newly-installed Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Ricardo Ranier Cruz III commended and congratulated the awardees for their invaluable services and performance not only to the brigade, but for the entire First Infantry Tabak Division.
Amarille thanked Velarmino and his men for their strong commitment to maintain a good relationship with the community and involving the local leaders and residents in the combat against insurgency.
The former 101st IB Commander urged Velarmino and all members of the brigade to sustain their campaign against insurgency and strengthen the security and internal defense to weaken the capabilities of the enemy of the state to preserve peace and attain an environment conducive to economic development.
Zamboanga del Norte Vice-Governor Francis Olvis, representing the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte, together with some mayors of the province and Local Chief Executives from Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental graced the occasion and witnessed the pinning of the award.
The theme of 101st Infantry Brigade's 42nd Founding Anniversary carries the theme,”101st Infantry Brigade: Kabalikat Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”(ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
