Philippine Air Force new group commander in Visayas assumes post

Camp Hernandez, Dingle, Iloilo – A graduate of Philippine Air Force Flying School (PAFFS) assumed today as the new commander of Tactical Operations Group 6 (TOG6), 2nd Air Division, Philippine Air Force in a change of command ceremony here.

Colonel Frederick Cutler, a graduate of Pilot Training at PAFFS in 1991 and a seasoned combat pilot, succeeded Colonel Rene Honasan who commanded TOG6 since April 2011.

In his remarks, Colonel Honasan expressed thanks to the men and women of this unit and said that he might not be a perfect commander but the unwavering support of his men made him accomplished many things that made this unit stand-out among the other units.

On the other hand, Colonel Cutler on his assumption remarks said that he will pursue the good things that were started and initiated by his predecessor.

For Brigadier General Nestor Deona, Commander of  2nd AD, PAF and the Presiding Officer during the ceremony, in his message acknowledge the hard work, resourcefulness and intelligence and the remarkable accomplishments of the outgoing commander.  

TOG6 was originally based at former Iloilo Airport in Manduriao, Iloilo City. Its headquarters was transferred to Camp Hernandez in Dingle, Iloilo on 2009 when the airport was transferred to Cabatuan-Sta Barbara boundaries.

The presence of TOG6 in the Visayas has greatly contributed and complemented the efforts of Army forces in the maintenance of peace and in disaster rescue and relief operations in this region.

Most notable among the countless accomplishments of this unit includes relief and rescue operations during tropical storms “Frank” in 2008 and “Sendong” in 2011, and the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that severely his Negros Oriental early this year.

During the stint of Colonel Honasan as commander, TOG6 crafted its own operational framework consistent with the objectives and intent of Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” with the motto: “ Let’s think, organize, and go bayanihan for a just and lasting peace in Western Visayas.

With this orientation and focus, the unit was able to accomplished 25 civic action activities, 14 medical and dental civic action programs, six bloodlettings, two disaster relief operations and support to seven socio-cultural activities.

Significant among these various activities was the library project for two depressed schools in Alegria Elementary School in Dingle, Iloilo and Tubudan National High School in San Remigio, Antique from 2011-2012 wherein 3,000 books and one desktop computer were donated each school.

With these accomplishments, TOG6 under the leadership of Colonel Honasan was adjudged as 2nd AD’s TOG of the year for 2012. The unit will likewise receive the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force Streamer Award as TOG of the year during the PAF anniversary on July 4, 2012.

The unit was also adjudged as the best TOG for the year 2011 making it the only unit in PAF that received this distinguished award for two consecutive years.

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Philippine Army Spearhead Troopers | June 11, 2012 | Article Link

Army to block rebels’ plan to retake insurgent-free provinces

LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte - A military official vowed to block rebels’ effort to retake insurgent-free provinces in the Visayas even as they shift their thrust from combat operation to implementation of development projects.

Colonel John Bonafos, commander of 802nd brigade of the Philippine Army based in Camp Downes, Ormoc City, said they are stepping up their coordination with local government units and other government agencies to ensure that rebels will not regain their strength.

The brigade covers the insurgent-free provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Biliran. It is the only Philippine Army headquarters in the entire country with all covered areas officially declared as rebel-cleared.

“We will continue our support operations particularly in the development aspects needed by people. After we have attained peace, we will move to development phase like construction of classrooms, road repair, and road widening,” Bonafos said in the sidelines of the First Mass anniversary here.

Among the five provinces, Biliran was the first to gain the insurgent-free status with the joint declaration of the Army and local government unit in December 2008. 

Cebu and Bohol were cleared from rebel activities in March 2010. 

Insurgent-free classification of Southern Leyte and Leyte was pronounced in September and December 2011, respectively.

“The situation of these Visayas provinces exemplifies that we can attain the insurgent-free status through multi-stakeholders participation,” he said.

For insurgent-free areas, the military turned over the lead role in maintaining the internal security to its local executives and police. The military has set a six-month parameter as basis in declaring whether the area can be confirmed free of rebel’s threat. 

A province is categorized as insurgency-free when the threat posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) is successfully downgraded into a mere law and order problem.

He said they will not allow the CPP-NPA to retake these provinces amid reports of new recruitment activities particularly in Cebu.

“The Army is counting on the support of local chief executives. If governors and mayors will participate, half of the problem is already solved,” Bonafos said.

The official also sought the help from the private sector since peace and order will not only affect government activities but business operations as well.

The crossfire incident in Kananga, Leyte that killed botanist Leonardo Co last November 2010 was the last encounter between government troops and insurgents recorded by the Philippine Army’s 802nd brigade under its command of responsibility.

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Leyte-Samar Daily Express | SunStar.Com.Ph | April 11, 2012 | Article Link