By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY – The First Cavalry (Eagle
Eye) Squadron, Mechanized Division, Philippine Army (PA) commemorated its 37th
founding anniversary last Aug. 16 at its headquarters, Camp Col. Jacobo E.
Zobel, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Anchored on the theme, “37th year of gallant
service, wisdom gained and experiences learned… continuously enhancing
capability to respond significantly on present challenges,” the event was
capped by a sports fest among its units, tree planting activities where 1,000
seedlings of mahogany trees were planted at Barangay Navalan and a bloodletting
among its troopers.
The bloodletting activity, which was performed by the medical
team of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) headed by Dr. Delia
Pastoriza, was able to collect 11,250 cc of different types of blood.
In his message, squadron’s commanding officer Lt. Col.
Antonio John Divinagracia said, “as we close the chapter of the 37th
years of committed gallantry in every campaign our unit had participated in, we
have set our right war fighting capability to another dimension to overcome the
changing challenges of the succeeding years to come.”
He said this year’s theme must serve as an inspiration
that we must prepare for the future “as we achieve the valuable accomplishments
last year.”
On the other hand, MGen Mayoralgo M. De la Cruz,
Assistant Division Commander, Mechanized Division, PA, who served as the guest
of honor and speaker, disclosed that as part of the AFP’s modernization
program of the Aquino
Administration, 114 Armored Personnel
Carriers (APCs) from the United States of America are expected to be delivered
by December this year. “And another 24 assorted vehicles coming from Israel
will also be delivered early next year. These armored vehicles are equipped
with the state of the art technology,” De la Cruz added.
Meanwhile, MGen. Nicanor Dolohan, Mechanized Division
Commander also conveyed his message as read by BGen dela Cruz to all the
officers, enlisted personnel, staff and their dependents as they celebrated their 37th
founding anniversary of PA’s pioneering armor unit.
“Today, after 37 years the 1st Cavalry
Squadron formerly known as the 1st Light Armor Battalion (1LAB)
continuous to serve with increasing responsiveness and commitment to
professionalism and service quality,” he said.
“We do recognize the compelling need to improve its
facilities, acquire better technology and capabilities, obtain specialization
and enhancing skills of its personnel toward better responsiveness in
performing our duties and responsibilities,” Dolohan further said.
