FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army installed the new commander of the 11th Infantry "Alakdan" Division today, July 3, 2019 at Kuta Heneral T. Bautista, Barangay Busbos, Jolo, Sulu.
In a change of command ceremony, Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto presided the turnover of the command symbol from the outgoing Maj. Gen. Divino Rey C. Pabayo, Jr. to incoming Brig. Gen. Corleto S. Vinluan Jr.
Prior to his assumption, Vinluan served as the Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Joint Special Operations Group and Deputy Commander of the 803rd Infantry Brigade based in Catarman, Northern Samar. He also held several staff positions such as the Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Operations of the Eastern Mindanao Command and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 8th Infantry Division.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, he holds a Master's Degree in Management from the Philippine Christian University. He is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) from the AFP Command and General Staff College, Infantry Advance and Basic Courses, and the Scout Ranger Course.
To show his support towards the front line troops of Sulu, Army Reserve Probationary 2nd Lieutenant Matteo Guidicelli accompanied the CGPA and his party to boost the morale of the soldiers as well as the people in the province. In his speech, Alberto emphasized the beauty of Sulu with its rich culture and history. He invited the officers and men to visit the Sulu Museum for them to better appreciate the island and its people.
Alberto also encouraged the youth to follow the footsteps of Guidicelli and serve the country by taking part in its peace efforts. “You are the future,” he told the youth. “The Philippine Army is here to partner with you in peace and development. We will stay and protect you,” Alberto added.
After the Change of Command Ceremony, the CGPA and his party proceeded to the tactical command post of the 1st Brigade Combat Team and inspected the blast site where two bombers detonated the explosives they were carrying, resulting to the deaths of three soldiers, two civilians, and the wounding of nine others. With their morale uplifted, the officers and men of the Brigade Combat Team expressed their gratitude to the Army leadership.
Meanwhile, Guidicelli paid a visit to the Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital where the hospital staff and patients got to mingle with him.
Upon arriving back to Zamboanga City, the CGPA also visited the Camp Navarro General Hospital where he and Guidicelli spoke to the soldiers who were wounded in the June 28 1st BCT blast. They also spoke to the family of the late Private First Class Dominique Inte and Private First Class Recarte Alban, two of the soldiers who died in the blast.
The 11th Infantry Division has operational jurisdiction over the Sulu Archipelago consisting of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.#
