The Philippine Army installed a new commander for the 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT) in a Change of Command Ceremony presided by the Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on the 23rd of May 2022.
CGPA Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., turned over the unit color to incoming commander Col. Leodevic B Guinid from outgoing acting commander Col. Jose Vladimir R. Cagara who will return to his previous post as the brigade's deputy commander.
Col. Guinid is a proud member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis Lahi” Class of 1990. Prior to his assumption as 1BCT commander, he served as commander of the Joint Special Operations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Special Operations Command (AFP SOCOM). He also held key posts such as chief of staff of AFP SOCOM and as commanding officer of the 61st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division.
Col. Guinid holds a Master of Arts in Criminology from the Philippine College of Criminology and Master in Public Management, Major in International Development and Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Col. Cagara served as acting 1BCT commander from nearly four months from February to May 2022. He held key leadership posts such as executive officer and deputy of the Philippine Army Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations and commanding officer of the 86th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.
Col. Cagara belongs to PMA “Maalab” Class of 1993. He holds a Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines and a Master in Public Management Major in Development and Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
The Army is envisioning to have three brigade combat teams that will be stationed in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the CGPA said. Lt. Gen. Brawner added that the planned BCTs will serve as readily deployable units that could immediately address internal and external threats.
1BCT was activated by the Philippine Army in December 2018 as the Army's rapidly deployable force against insurgents and terrorists.
The Army Chief also lauded Col. Cagara for an excellent job in ensuring the safe, orderly and peaceful polls in Cotabato City, parts of North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. He likewise commended 1BCT troopers, known for their moniker Aegis troopers, for a meaningful training which was done side by side with their American counterparts in the Salaknib and Balikatan exercises.
”Col. Guinid, I am counting on you to sustain the unit’s operational milestones and likewise pursue the foundations laid by your predecessors,” the CGPA remarked.
Photos: Pfc Rodgen V Quirante Philippine Army/ OACPA
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