Effective December 15, the Joint Task Force Haribon in Davao City will have a new commander in the person of Col. Gilbert I. Gapay.
Gapay will take the place of BGen. Ronnie Evangelista who will assume his new post as commander of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The turn-over of command will take place at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 15 in Naval Station, Panacan, Davao City.
Col. Gapay, before his assignment to TF Haribon, was the former assistant division commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division and brigade commander of the Philippine Army in the provinces of Lanao in Mindanao.
His assumption to lead TF Haribon was welcomed by Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom).
“His vast experience being assigned in various positions in the AFP is expected to infuse innovations and security concepts of Joint Task Force Haribon in securing Mega Davao,” Eastmincom spokesperson Major Ezra Balagtey said in a statement to the media.
The command added that Col. Gapay is an aviator and armor officer and a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986 where he graduated on top of his class.
He will also serve as the concurrent deputy commander of Eastmincom.
The TF Haribon was activated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in October this year with the purpose of expanding the security measures as Davao City is now becoming an alternative seat of the government.
The task force will also secure other areas near Davao City, to include parts of Davao del Norte and the Island Garden City of Samal.
It is also tasked to assist the Presidential Security Group in securing the President and other very important personalities during their regular visits and official businesses in Davao City and the nearby localities.
It is composed of Task Force Davao, Task Force Samal, 84th Infantry Brigade, the Philippine Navy and the 11th Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force.
