NEW ASSIGNMENT. Soldiers of the Army’s 38th Infantry Battalion witness the turnover of battalion commanders as they prepare for deployment to Sarangani province from Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao as part of the expansion of the area of responsibility of the 6th Infantry Division, their mother unit, in Central Mindanao. The 38IB will secure the towns of Maasim and Kiamba in Sarangani province starting Monday (July 6, 2020). (Photo courtesy of 6ID)
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – After a three-month retraining program, the Army’s 38th Infantry Battalion has been deployed to Sarangani province, as the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) enhanced its capability following its expansion to Central Mindanao.
On Sunday, the 38IB and the 6ID Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operation (CMO) also welcomed new leaders after the turnover ceremonies held at the 602nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters, Camp Lucero, Barangay Nasapian, Carmen, North Cotabato.
Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon, 6ID commander, presided the military ceremony that installed Lt. Colonel Edgardo Vilchez Jr. as the new 38IB commander, replacing Lt. Col. Carlo Ferrer.
Ferrer was subsequently installed as the assistant chief of staff for CMO, replacing Lt. Col. Guillermo Mabute who will be designated as the officer-in-charge of the 6ID administration and logistics detachment at Fort Bonifacio, the Philippine Army’s headquarters in Taguig City, Metro Manila.
“To Lt. Col. Ferrer, it would be not easy considering the workload in store. This might be a tough task for you but I know that with through your experiences, you can manage,” Carreon said during the turnover rites.
“To Lt. Col. Vilchez Jr., make use of this opportunity to show what you’ve got. I know you are worthy of the position so I expect you to take charge and perform your utmost best,” added Carreon, also the commander of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC).
The 6ID chief thanked Mabute for his dedication for the past eight months that has greatly contributed to the accomplishment of the command’s mission as he carefully managed the challenges of the job as G7, which resulted in excellent popular support within its area of operation.
After the turnover ceremony of the 38IB, a ceremonial send-off program followed as they will be deployed Monday (July 6) to their designated area of responsibility in the towns of Maasim and Kiamba, both of Sarangani province.
The 6ID now covers the provinces of Maguindanao, part of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, part of Sarangani, and part of Lanao del Sur.
The 38IB was previously based at Barangay Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao functioning as a “cadre (training) battalion” and now reverted as a maneuver battalion. (PNA)
