General, six others retire after more than 30 years in the
service
FORT Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila - Major General Napoleon Baggay
Malana and six other military personnel officially retired from the
service in a testimonial parade for retiring personnel at the HPA
Grandstand yesterday after serving the Armed Forces of the Philippines
for more than 30 years.
Other retirees include Col Jose B Mier and five senior Non-Commissioned
Officers (NCO) who have greatly contributed to the Army's efforts to
pursue its transformation, mission, and vision and provided a strong
backbone to the organization, namely Master Sergeant (MSg) Antonio De
Vera, MSg Regina Lizano; MSg Tranquilino Ayson, MSg Fernando Poblete,
and MSg Rogelio Salvador.
The most senior honoree was Major General Malana who hails from
Tuguegarao, Cagayan. He started his colorful military career after
graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1975. His early
assignments include platoon leader of the 29th Infantry Battalion of the
4th Infantry Division in Mindanao. Bold and determined, he spent the
first five years of his military career as a young officer in 4th ID,
where he proved his mettle in combat.
After his stint in Mindanao, Major General Malana spent several fruitful
years with Civil-Military Operations, having been assigned with the then
Philippine Army Civil Relations and Information Service or PACRIS and as
branch chief of different branches of G7, PA. Among his other
significant assignments were: Group Commander of 3rd Army Training Group
in 1994; Battalion Commander of the 31st Infantry Battalion of the 2nd
Infantry Division in 1996 and again of 15IB, 3ID in 1998; Commandant of
the Army Command and General Staff School in 2001; Chief of Staff, 8th
ID in 2002; Commanding Officer of 801st Brigade, 8ID in 2003 and
Commanding General, 502 Brigade in 2004; Commanding General of the 9th
Infantry Division; and his current position as the Deputy Chief of Staff
for Personnel, J1.
Second was Colonel Jose B Mier, the Assistant Chief of Staff for
Reservists and Reserve Force Development, G8, Philippine Army, who had
given a good 38 years of his life to the Army rising from the ranks, as
a fresh recruit in 1970, until becoming an officer in 1976 (when he was
already a Staff Sergeant).
He spent his brief career in the artillery and spent the bulk of his
military career with the Special Forces Regiment where he was assigned
from the time of the Army Special Warfare Brigade or SWAB to the time it
was called the Home Defense Forces Group - Airborne or HDFGA and later
as the SF Regiment - Airborne) and of course, the Special Operations
Command.
MSg De Vera was the NCO-In-Charge of Mission Support Sight, SFRA, SOCOM
and was known for being industrious in coordinating mission support
requirements of his office. MSg Lizano was the Admin Branch NCO of the
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for CEIS, G6, PA who diligently
assisted his Admin Officer in ensuring that the affairs of the office
particularly those concerning supplies, personnel management, and their
career and development is well-managed and looked after. MSg Ayson was
the NCOIC of SOCOM Administrative Center who had been productive in
conducting liaison work for his office, ensuring all communications or
planned activity is well-coordinated. MSg Poblete was the Chief Clerk of
the Office of the Army Adjutant General who was actively in-charge of
personnel management, particularly with the administration of morale and
welfare activities of the office, ensuring the meticulous supervision of
the publication of GHQ and HPA policies and regulations; and lastly, MSg
Salvador who served as the First Sergeant and ROTC Training NCO of
1305th Community Defense Center, National Capital Region Regional
Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command covering the areas of
Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, and Marikina. He was also the chief clerk
of the ROTC in New Era University in Quezon City.
Gracing the testimonial parade was the Army chief Lt Gen Victor Ibrado
who gave an inspirational message in honor of the retiring personnel.
"These fine members of Team Army have all contributed immensely not just
to the accomplishment of their respective unit's mission, but more
importantly, to our efforts to realize our collective and organizational
goals... Like our honorees, let us do our part and perform our best as
members of the Team Army, and with our collective and synergetic
efforts, let us pursue our mission and our institutional vision of a
professional, capable, and responsive Army that is a source of national
pride, " said the Army chief. #
|
