ILOILO City – The 61st Infantry Battalion (61IB) of the Philippine Army based in the town of Miag-ao, Iloilo has a new battalion commander.
Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Batara was from the Army’s 301st Brigade in Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo. He replaced Lieutenant Colonel Sisenando Magbalot Jr. who was given a new post at the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID).
Magbalot led the 61IB for two years. He launched 26 operations against insurgents, the most recent of which were in Miag-ao and led to the confiscation of 11 high-powered firearms.
The 61IB under Magbalot also neutralized 17 ranking New People’s Army (NPA) officials in Panay Island.
“It was my honor to serve and secure the Ilonggos. I hope communities will continue to help us by sharing information about the rebels,” he said.
Last month, 61IB troops had a series of skirmishes with rebels. These were in the following:
* Barangay Mulangan, Igbaras, Iloilo on March 17
* Barangay Osorio 1, San Remigio, Antique on March 19
* Sitio Igburay, Barangay Indaluyon, Igbaras on March 20
In the March 17 clash, three NPA suspects were arrested and nine improvised explosive devices were seized.
On March 24, Army troops overran a rebel encampment in Barangay Alimodias, Miag-ao town where a rebel was killed.
The rebels belonged to the Suyak Platoon of the NPA Panay’s Southern Front Committee./PN
