DAVAO ORIENTAL’s top leaders say they are proud of the achievements of two highest-ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines whom they had the opportunity to work with in the past.
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang and First District Representative Corazon N. Malanyaon, who are among the peace and development stakeholders given recognition by the AFP during the Change of Command Ceremony at the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), say they are inspired and happy with the successes of the two military officials who greatly contributed to Davao Oriental’s transformative change, especially in terms of peace and development.
On Wednesday’s ceremony held at the Naval Forces of Eastmincom (NFEM) covered court in Camp Panacan in Davao City, AFP chief of staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero welcomed Eastmincom’s new commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr.
General Guerrero said he is confident that the Eastmincom is in the right direction with the new leadership.
Lt. Gen. Madrigal said he is honored to accept the responsibility of taking the helm of EastMinCom. In his assumption speech, he acknowledged the long line of distinguished commanders before him, including the present AFP chief. “I am overwhelmed with humility and pride to stand and be counted among you, sir,” he said.
“For those who are not in the know, I am very fortunate to have taken over positions vacated by our Chief of Staff in the past. I replaced him in a number of instances during our lieutenant days at 3/2 Brigade in Bondoc Peninsula, as aide-de-camp to the 2ID and SOLCOM commander (though we had different bosses). I also replaced him as commander of 701st Brigade in Davao Oriental, after he has led the declaration of the province as Conflict-manageable and ready for further development. And in these instances, l consider myself very lucky, because he has always very well prepared the unit for me (Sigurado po ako na plantsado na lahat ng plano, that I am taking over an efficient and motivated workforce, and that all I have to do is follow through and continue on with what he has started. Maraming salamat po, sir),” he said.
Lt. Gen. Madrigal and General Guerrero both served as commander of the 701st Brigade based in Davao Oriental between 2011 and 2014 during the term of then Former Governor Malanyaon as local chief executive.
Madrigal was known in Davao Oriental not only for his efforts in peace and development but also in his role in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Supertyphoon Pablo-hit areas and those devastated by Low-Pressure Agaton. He also initiated the Oversight Advisory Committee of the Peace and Development Outreach Program which enjoins the full and active participation of all development stakeholders in the efforts towards peace and development.
His predecessor, now the present AFP Chief Gen. Guerrero, was known for his “bold” leadership that led to the declaration of Davao Oriental as a conflict-manageable area in 2013. He was also noted for his tireless efforts in the emergency response and fast coordination with other agencies at the height of Supertyphoon Pablo that hit Davao Oriental in 2012.
These two high-ranking military officials continue to become a source of inspiration and awe not only to the military officials after them and government officials they have worked with but also to the common people believing in their capacity to pursue excellence in leadership in the pursuit of long-lasting and sustainable peace. By Karen Lou Deloso/Photo by Eden Jhan Licayan
