MIMAROPA

Philippine Army appoints new brigade commander

Wednesday 11th of April 2012

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 11 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) appointed yesterday Col. Bobby B. Calleja as the 9th commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade replacing BGen. Carlos F. Quita who will be transferred as commandant of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City.

Maj. Gen. Eduardo D. Del Rosario, AFP Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division presided the change of command ceremony held at the brigade headquarters in barangay Pinagsabangan, Naujan.

In his speech, Quita expressed his gratitude to all local chief executives, religious, business and other multi-sectoral groups of Mindoro island and Romblon province and also to the Tamaraw Vision Network of Calapan City for their all out support to the 203rd Brigade’s mission on the ‘Bayanihan’ and ‘Hawak-Kamay’ programs to counter the insurgents in the brigade’s area of responsibility.

“Without their support the mission of the 203rd Brigade will not be fulfilled. We appreciated very much their sincerity in their continuous support to the unit mission in the area,” Quita stated.

On the other hand, Calleja said, “The relations established with the local chief executive and other business sectors and even the religious organization are very much appreciated and this will remain stable and continuously support the unit mission. I was assumed as the commander of 203rd brigade to continue the mission of the unit to illuminate or dismantle remaining numbers of insurgents in the area. I am your best friend and I will serve to the community, you are my boss.”

Msgr. Warlito I Cajandig, DD, Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr., Congressman Reynaldo V. Umali, Board Member Romeo G. Infantado, Naujan Mayor Angeles Casubuan and other political, religious and business leaders from Mindoro and Romblon provinces were among the witnesses during the change of command ceremony. (LBR/HAE-PA/Louie T. Cueto/REGION4-B/CALAPAN)