RECOGNIZED. The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur accords special awards to Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan, and 1Lt. Maverick Ray Mira (left to right) for their contributions to the peace and security during the 68th Founding Anniversary of the province on Thursday (Sept. 17, 2020). Patria is the former 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander while Gaerlan is the former 102nd Infantry Brigade commander. Mira is the current Alpha Company commander of the 53IB. (Photo courtesy of the Army's 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur accorded honors and recognition to three military officials as the province marked its 68th Founding Anniversary Thursday.
In a statement Friday, the Army's 1st Infantry Division said plaque of recognitions were given to Brig. Gen. Bagnus Gaerlan, former 102nd Infantry Brigade commander; Lt. Col. Marlowe Patria, former 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) commander; and 1Lt. Maverick Ray Mira, 53IB’s Alpha Company commander.
Both the 102nd Infantry Brigade and 53IB have operational jurisdiction over Zamboanga del Sur.
Gaerlan and Patria were recognized for their significant contributions to the stability of peace and security of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, particularly in its campaign against communist New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists.
Gaerlan is now the assistant division commander of the 1st Infantry Division while Patria is assigned in Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Lucena City.
The 1st Division said Mira was awarded as the "Best Company Commander" in Zamboanga del Sur.
Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Victor Yu, who led the awarding ceremony, said Mira managed to "strategically establish" coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) checkpoints that slowed the spread of the disease in the province.
Yu said Mira's leadership has also prevented the criminals and terrorist groups to exploit the pandemic while implementing "remarkable internal security operations" in the conflict-affected areas of the province.
This year’s anniversary celebration of Zamboanga del Sur is anchored on the theme “We love, we care, we heal as one Zamboanga del Sur”. (PNA)
