ILOILO City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has assigned a new chief to the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) based in Jamindan, Capiz.
Army Major General Benedict Arevalo, former commander of 301st Infantry Brigade based in Camp Hernandez (Dingle, Iloilo) and 303rd Infantry Brigade (Negros Occidental), will assume his post tomorrow, Sept. 21.
Arevalo will take over after several days that Brigadier General Noel Baluyan took care of the 3ID following the retirement of Major General Eric Vinoya on Sept. 6.
“Our new 3ID chief is not new in this area. He was assigned here for 10 years. He already mastered the terrain of Panay and Negros islands,” said Major General Cenon Pancito III, 3ID spokesperson.
Arevalo was a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), class 1990.
He hails from Manila but has roots in Iloilo. He is also fluent in Hiligaynon.
Arevalo was a Tactical Officer of then 3rd Division Training Unit of the 3ID from Oct. 16, 2020 to Feb. 16, 2021. He also served as Delta Company executive officer and platoon leader of the defunct 71st Infantry Battalion (71IB) in early 1990s.
Arevalo used to be an operations officer of the defunct 3ID’s 7th IB from 1992 to 1994, and once served as the 3ID’s intelligence and operation officer.
Arevalo is a recipient of various military awards and decorations to include distinguished service star, bronze cross medals, silver wing medal, long service medal, anti-diss campaign medals and numerous military merit and civic action medals, on top of several commendations and honors both from the military and civilian sectors.
He finished various military trainings both local and international to include platoon leader course, special operations training course, marksmanship training course, basic airborne course, intelligence officer course, and preparatory course (language).
Arevalo completed his Command and General Staff Course in Indonesia.
On the other hand, Baluyan will return his former assignment as assistant division commander.
Arevalo will focus on the dismantling of New People’s Army guerilla fronts in Panay and Negros islands.
Guerilla fronts so far dismantled were the eastern front in Panay and northern and southeast Negros fronts.
The remaining active fronts in Panay are the central front based in the towns of Calinog, Iloilo and Tapaz, Capiz; and the southern front based in the towns of Miag-ao, Tubungan and San Joaquin, Iloilo, and Hamtic and Sibalom in Antique./PN
