A Valor Awardee, BGen Sobejana took the helm of 6ID

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Commanding General Philippine Army graces the installation of Brig. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, a well-decorated military Officer as new Commander of 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division, Philippine Army during the Change of Command ceremony on 26 May 2018 held at Camp Siongco, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana replaces Lt. Gen. Arnel B Dela Vega who recently took the post as Commander, Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) in Zamboanga City. The ceremony was highlighted by the giving of plaques of recognition to supportive stakeholders followed by inauguration and blessing of staff officers’ quarters and pinning of ranks to newly promoted enlisted personnel of the Command.

Brig. Gen. Sobejana, the new “Team Captain” of “Kampilan” is one of the distinct living heroes being a recipient of “Medal of Valor” for demonstrating bravery and heroism in actual combat. It is distinct and prestigious in the sense that there are only 41 recipients of the most coveted highest military award in the country since 1935.

The new commander of 6ID is a professional and well rounded officer having served in various positions and capacities in the AFP to wit: Company and Battalion Commander, School Commandant, and Deputy for Operations, all with the Army First Scout Ranger Regiment. He also served as Group Commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group, Executive Officer of the Army Resource Management Office, Head of the Plans, Policies and Materiel Development Division of the Army Support Command, Deputy to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, G7, and Chief of the Firepower Division at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4, AFP. In 2003 to 2004, he also had the chance to serve with the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNMISET) as Military Observer.

A proud member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1987, Brig. Gen Sobejana is also a graduate of various specialized trainings and courses both local and abroad such as Scout Ranger, Special Forces Qualification, Airborne and Scuba Diver courses. He also underwent Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Training at Defense School in Sweden, Operations Research Systems Analysis Course at US Army Logistics Management College, Fort Lee, Virginia, Advance Security Cooperation Course at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii, Command and General Staff Course at AFP Command and General Staff College and, Executive Course on National Security Administration.

He is a bemedalled officer earning voluminous awards such as, Medal of Valor, Distinguished Conduct Star, two Distinguished Service Stars, Gold Cross Medal, two Bronze Cross Medals, Wounded Personnel Medal (Purple Heart), and several Military Merit and Commendation Medals. He is also a recipient of numerous Certificates of Appreciation and Recognition. Most significant to his accolades is his being adjudged as The Outstanding Philippines Soldier (Combat Category) in 1995 and in 2012 and the Award of Excellence for Public Service from the Governor of his province, Negros Oriental.

Prior to his post, he was the Commander of Joint Task Force-Sulu (JTF-Sulu) with the mandate of addressing the threat of terrorism and oversees the imposition of Martial Law upon President Duterte’s pronouncement and guidance in Sulu archipelago. This aims to facilitate the establishment of peace and tranquility as well as enhance the process of integration, reconciliation and conflict resolution in the area. His effort resulted to the snowballing of surrenderees comprised of 76 ASG members and turn-over of 700 firearms which was presented to the President in one of his visit in Patikul, town of Sulu.

On the otherhand, Lt. Gen. Bautista in his message, encourages all the “Kampilan troopers” to accord Brig. Gen. Sobejana the same support and commitment that had given to the former commander. He encourage everyone to move forward in unison, and keep in-step to achieve a greater heights. He emphasized that through teamwork great things can be accomplished.

“The Philippine Army is transforming to become a world-class Army with a world class system and processes. Recently, we were just inducted in the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame. To sustain this, we need the support and participation of the stakeholders for us to create a more sustainable development in support to Peace and Development Roadmap of the government under the able leadership of President Duterte” Bautista. Added.#