SORSOGON
CITY, Dec 6 (PIA) – Another outstanding officer in the military service was
recognized and conferred by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with a Military Merit Medal (Interim) for his meritorious
and invaluable service to the country’s defense force.
The
recipient was Col. Felix J. Castro, Jr. who served as the Commander of the 903rd Infantry
(Fight and Defend) Brigade, 9th Infantry (SPEAR) Division, Philippine Army from
January 17, 2011 to November 8, 2012.
The awarding of medal was pursuant to paragraph
1-6l, Section II Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-053 dated 01
July 1986. Said medal is awarded to a military official for heroic achievement or meritorious service during,
or in support of military action against an enemy.
Imbued with deep sense of responsibility,
outstanding leadership, professional competence and managerial acumen, Col. Castro in his term as 903rd
Brigade Commander, ably supervised the successful conduct of the 23
Brigade-size Operations, 62 Battalion-size operations, 97 Company-size
operations and 12,026 Small Unit Operations.
These operations resulted to the neutralization of 43
NPA personalities (23 killed, 10 wounded, 9 captured and 11 surrendered) and
gained 106 firearms (60 high powered/46 low powered), although many of these
are outside the focus area of the brigade. The recovered firearms include: one
Cal .30 LMG, nine M16, nine 653, two AK47, and one M14, among others. Sixty Seven (67) improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) were also recovered.
Among the more significant operational
accomplishments of the Brigade under Col Castro’s leadership include the death
in an encounter of Andres Baja Despi @ Tisoy, the vice CO of SDG, FC79, Komprob
Sorsogon; the arrest of Vanjie Herrero @ Vivian, Execom member of Komprob
Masbate; the death in another encounter of Luis Gonzaga @ JP- CO of SPP, Ind
KSPN, Komprob Masbate; the capture of CTL Felix MARCAIDA @MEGS/BOY/MIGO presently Execom Member, KomProb Sorsogon,
BRPC PSRL 4th quarter CY 2011 (the 3rd person of KomProb
Sorsogon, BRPC; former Secretary of Komprob Sorsogon, BRPC year 2008, PSRL 4th
quarter CY 2009; former Secretary of LArangan 3, KomProb Sorsogon.
In the absence of allocation for additional Civilian Active Auxiliaries (CAAs),
the establishment of the Barangay Defense System (BDS) has been initiated to
act as a holding organization in the cleared barangays. This has been proven
effective as the NPAs find difficulty in recovering lost areas.
The Brigade conducted 141 occasions of Civil
Military Operations which targeted 406 barangays with a total of 268,188
beneficiaries which paved way to the good relationship of the unit with the
populace. The Brigade focus area is Barangay Pandan in Castilla, Sorsogon which
used to be influenced by NPA’s before the area was cleared in 2009.
The “Tarabangan sa Brgy Pandan” Project started
with the construction of a two-classroom building sponsored by ABS-CBN
Foundation, Inc. Sagip Kapamilya for Pandan High School. Other projects soon
followed after the initiative of ABS-CBN: one classroom building funded by Cong
Escudero; another classroom building funded by DepEd; two- classroom (2 storey)
funded by DepEd; five road improvement projects programmed for next year;
ongoing cementing of the irrigation canal (P30M) funded by DA; six months
feeding program by ABS-CBN; planned introduction of abaca growing by FIDA, and
Mangrove Plantation at Sibago, Donsol, Sorsogon.
Another two-classroom building sponsored by Sagip
Kapamilya is now being constructed by 9IB and 565th Engr Bn in Brgy
Cabancalan, Aroroy, Masbate (our second focus area). Two scholarship slots were
also given by ABS-CBN aside from the feeding program. The Brigade also had six
Bayanihan Iskolars sponsored by ABS-CBN and the Lewis College in Sorsogon City.
Col Castro and his men have been active in the
programs of PAMANA. The two provinces in
its area have received funds for development-Sorsogon: P36M (seven focus
municipalities) and Masbate: P50M (three focus municipalities).
The Brigade had enhanced intensive and extensive
coverage through its intelligence networks with 591 informants that collected
positive information.
On training, the unit successfully conducted a
total of 20 In-House Trainings.
On base development project, numerous buildings
were renovated such as the NCO Mess Hall,Kalayaan Hall, NCO Bathroom and
Comfort Room and Guard Houses.
On mobility, procurement of two sea crafts and the
unit was able to repair the unserviceable vehicles of the unit.
On Personnel,
the Brigade was able to grant a total of 1,304 Military Commendation Medal,
298 Military Civic Action Medal and 59 Letter of Commendation; recommended 227
awards for military merit medal; 66 EP were reenlisted into the Regular Force,
AFP for another term of three (3) years during his incumbency, and one Unit
Cooperative was established.
On schooling, the unit
was able to send two Officers and 15 EP for career advancement.
On DLO, a total of eight
cases were resolved.
On Morale and Welfare 8
Officers and 89 EP were granted R&R and 16 socials were conducted, procurement
and repair of
the following; Basketball court , repair of billiard table, two chess boards
two flat screen TV sets and table tennis, 198 jersey uniforms, 90 polo t-shirts
and 250 t-shirts for the birthday celebrators and rifle experts.
With the above-mentioned accomplishments, the brigade was adjudged as the Best Brigade
of 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army for 1st
and 2nd Quarters of 2012.
Maj.
General Romeo B. Calizo, Commander of 9th ID, said the
commendable and outstanding performance of Col. Castro served as the hallmark
of honor and prestige, thereby contributing immeasurably to the accomplishment
of the 9ID mission.
“By these remarkable achievements, Col Castro earned
distinct credit and honor not only for himself and for the 9th
Infantry (Spear) Division but also for the whole Armed Forces of the
Philippines,” he added. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/9ID, PA)
