32nd IB undergo “Pagsasanay Alfa” at Kuta Sang-an

Lt Col Johnson Jemar D Aseron, Commanding Officer of 32IB and

his troops and staffs stand before the Commander of 1ID during

the opening ceremony of 32IB retraining conducted at Hqs 1ID,

Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on

July 26, 2013. (Photo provided by DPAO)

By JONG CADION

KUTA SANG-AN, ZAMBOSUR – The 1^st Infantry Division (1ID) formally opened last Saturday July 27, 2013 the two (2) month reorganizational training of 32^nd Infantry Battalion following a short opening ceremony at the Headquarters 1ID in Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday July 26, 2013 at around 4:00 in the afternoon.

“The retraining of 32^nd IB is part of the Implementation Plan ‘Pagsasanay Alfa’ of the Philippine Army and will run up to September 27, 2013. The training aims to develop the combat fighting skills and knowledge of the soldiers,” Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training Lt Col Alex R Rillera said.

“We will also refurbish their mobility equipment and at the same time strengthen their operational readiness towards excellent mission accomplishment,” Lt Col Rillera disclosed.

BGen Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr, Acting Commander of 1^st

Infantry Division speaks before the Officers and personnel of

32IB during the opening ceremony of 32IB retraining conducted

at Hqs 1ID, Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga

del Sur on July 26, 2013. (Photo provided by DPAO)

Meanwhile, the Acting Commander of 1^st Infantry Division BGen Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr. welcomed and commended the accomplishments of 32IB in its long years of deployment. “Our core competencies, as soldiers, are fighting wars and battles, because that is what we are trained for. And we need to hone that competency so that we are always on the upper hand to protect our people and defend the integrity and sovereignty of our country against threats.” Acting Division Commander explained.

BGen Trinidad Jr. also emphasized the objectives of the organizational training which he summed at under the acronym “TRAIN”: Total Unit Readiness, Responsiveness or Responsibility as a unit and as individual soldier, Acquisition of knowledge and skills, Imbibe the culture of professionalism, discipline and excellence, and Nurture the spirit of service and people oriented individual soldier and unit.

The personnel of 32^nd Infantry Battalion listen to the command

during the opening ceremony of 32IB retraining conducted at

Hqs 1ID, Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga

del Sur on July 26, 2013. (Photo provided by DPAO)

The 32IB had its last retraining sometime in 1998 and since then, the Battalion became one of the fightingest units in the Philippine Army. The unit successful internal peace and security initiatives significantly contributed to the improved socio-economic development in the island of Basilan for the past four (4) years. 

The personnel of 32IB stand in full battle gear while listening to

instructions during the opening ceremony of 32IB retraining

conducted at Hqs 1ID, Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan,

Zamboanga del Sur on July 26, 2013. (Photo provided by DPAO)