New 19IB chief vows to sustain peace, development efforts in Leyte

By 19th Infantry Battalion, 8ID PA
August 3, 2011

KANANGA, Leyte  –  The newly installed commanding officer of the 19th Infantry (Commando) Battalion here vowed Sunday, July 31, 2011 to push further efforts in order to sustain peace and development in Northern Leyte.

Lt. Col. Francis B. Cabugon who assumed as the new commanding officer of 19IB believes that cooperation or “bayanihan” with stakeholders particularly the local government will address insurgency problems in this part of the province.

As peace advocate, Lt. Col. Cabugon stated that he will look into facilitating government projects for the communities within its area of operation. He is confident that community development will compel the rebels to abandon armed struggle against the government.

“We will be battling not only insurgency but also poverty. Let us take part on the delivery of the government’s basic services in order to uplift the lives of the people, the subject of our profession”, Cabugon deliberately stressed.

Lt. Col. Cabugon earned admiration from the local government and civil society groups for successfully implementing several programs under “Oplan Bayanihan” during his eight months stint as battalion commander of 46IB, the Mindanao based unit of the 8th Infantry Division.

Among his astounding accomplishment were the recoveries of crew served weapons and ammunitions, improvised explosive devise (IED) neutralization of members of Private Armed Group (PAG) and apprehension of a bomber expert, local contact of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

He effectively implemented the “Oplan Bayanihan” which resulted to the creation of Task Force “Isulan” that restores the peace and stability and uplift the economy of the capital town of Sultan Kudarat province. Likewise, he established informal peace dialogues with local MILF and MNLF leaders in the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat that creates a peaceful environment that attracts investors such as Del Monte Philippines banana plantation in Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao.

Likewise, he conceptualized “Oplan Karunungan” which handed over 14,750 text books to the pupils students in MILF registered communities.

Accordingly, Cabugon will focus on training and maintaining standard of discipline of 19IB soldiers. Further he ordered his troops to always and strictly observe human rights in order to enhance the people’s trust and confidence towards the AFP.