FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) visited the 903rd Infantry “Patriot” Brigade (903Bde) on June 12, 2021 in Castilla, Sorsogon.
Maj. Gen. Andres Centino discussed the command’s thrusts particularly in providing support to soldiers in the field to further capacitate them in addressing enemy threats and sustaining peace in the region.
He also commended the 2nd Infantry Battalion (2IB), who were present via video conference, for their successful operation against CTG members responsible for the recent blast that killed FEU football player Kieth Absalon and his cousin Nolven Absalon.
The Patriot Brigade is the Army’s key unit in securing Sorsogon, Masbate, and Albay provinces. It has the 2nd, 22nd, and 31st Infantry Battalions that conduct intensified focus military operations to dismantle and destroy terror groups.
Currently commanded by Col. Aldwine Almase, the 903Bde launched combat operation from April 28 to May 28, 2021 that led to the surrender of 30 CTG personalities, seizure of 33 high and low powered firearms, ammunitions, and enemy documents. Among 903Bde’s ongoing tasks are the securing of Bicol International Airport and the construction of Bulusan-Sta Magdalena – Matnog Coastal Road.
The CGPA also visited the 9th Civil-Military Operations Battalion and the 5th Forward Service Support Unit in Legazpi City.
“Part of my duty is to visit the troops, see for myself how they are doing and hearing directly from them. It’s a matter of really focusing, funneling our resources, and ensuring that our troops out there have the capacity to really pin down the enemy,” he said. “I would like to congratulate the unit for its decisiveness in their mission. Let us do well our job in ending the problem of insurgency in the country,” he added.#