FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - The Philippine Army installed Col. Alejandro C. Manalo Jr. as the new Task Group Bantay (PATGB) Acting Commanding Officer in a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on December 20, 2021, at Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The Chief of Staff Philippine Army (CSPA) Maj. Gen. Roberto S. Capulong presided over the ceremony as Col. Manalo assumed command of TGB from outgoing Commanding Officer Col. Elmer M. Aterrado.
Col. Manalo served as the Executive Officer of PATGB before his assumption. He held various leadership positions, such as the Deputy Commander of Armed Forces of the Philippines Munitions Control Center (AFPMCC); Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G4, Army Reserve Command; and Division Provost Marshal of the 4th Infantry Division, to name a few.
In his assumption speech, Col. Manalo expressed his intent to work closely with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office in clearing the National Shrine from any illegal structures built within the area declared part of the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB) complex.
Meanwhile, during his two-and-a-half-year stint, Col. Aterrado secured the LNMB from illegal settlers. The TGB recovered approximately 363 square meters of lot areas from informal settlers, prevented the building of illegal structures, and sustained the confidence of various stakeholders under his guidance.
Col Aterrado also led the TGB during the simultaneous distribution of relief goods during the Enhanced Community Quarantine at the vicinities of Katipunan, Maliwanag, Masagana, Matatag, and Masigasig during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Col. Aterrado entered the service through Republic Act 2334 in 1990 and will now retire after rendering more than 31 years in the military service.
The CSPA congratulated both Col. Manalo and Col. Aterrado for their new endeavors inside and outside the military service.
"To the whole TGB family, I ask for your continuous positive performance. Work with Col. Manalo as one team. Your unit will reach more milestones with your new Acting Commanding Officer and his predecessors' strong foundation. Remember that all your efforts and hard work greatly contribute to the fulfillment of your unit's mandate," said Maj. Gen. Capulong, in his remarks, #