ILIGAN CITY – An Army officer who survived the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) twice handed over his command responsibility on Friday through a televised change of command ceremony inside the headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division (1ID) in Camp Sang-an Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur.
Col. Froilan Labador turned over the reins of the 1ID's Service Support Battalion (SSBn) to Lt. Col. Abdelhalim Sakilan while he was inside a quarantine facility of the camp.
Captain Clint Antipala, 1ID Division Public Affairs Officer (DPAO), said Labador will occupy a higher position after his promotion during the quarantine.
Labador is on quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 for the second time in May. He was subjected to a repeat confirmatory test that resulted in a negative finding on May 29. His third round of 14-day quarantine will be completed on June 12.
Labador first tested positive for the virus early in March and recovered, only to be infected two months later.
In his teleconference speech, Labador thanked the command for the "trust and confidence entrusted" in him “and the unparalleled support even on the downside of his health condition.”
"Despite my health status and even if we were not in the forefront, our unified efforts, with the best of our abilities, we've provided essential Logistic Service Support to the troops and units of the Command," Labador said in the DPAO statement.
“He also thanked his troops who remained loyal and professional on their sworn duties”, Antipala said.
Sakilan, meanwhile, assured commitment to accomplish the goals of the battalion.
Col. Pompeyo Jason Almagro, 1ID chief of staff, who represented the division commander, Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, thanked Labador for his contributions to the unit.
"You have done your part and have immensely played a vital role in the attainment of the Division's mission. You remained strong and determined to beat the Covid-19 and professionally continued your responsibilities as the commanding officer of the SSBN", said Ponio in a message read by Almagro.
Ponio also directed the troops to support the new battalion commander "in all his undertakings." (PNA)
