|
The
Innovators led by LtCol. Rizaldo N. Laurena stand at
attention as they were accorded a heroes' welcome at
Calbayog Airport on July 5, 2018 after two years of
deployment in Southern Mindanao, particularly in Jolo and
Marawi. |
8ID Marawi heroes
welcomed back in Samar
By
DPAO, 8ID PA
July 6, 2018
CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan
City – The 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division yesterday, July
5, 2018 welcomed the 63rd Infantry (Innovator) Battalion, one of the
Philippine Army’s fightingest units during the Marawi Siege at
Calbayog Airport at 12:30 P.M.
The Innovators led by Lt.
Col. Rizaldo N. Laurena were met with a hero’s welcome by the 8ID
Command and General Staff, Local Chief Executive, Chief of Police,
Calbayog City, comrades, families, and loved ones upon arrival back
in Eastern Visayas on board C-130 planes of the Philippine Air
Force.
It can be recalled that on
August 31, 2016, the Innovators were deployed to Jolo, Sulu to
augment the military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group and
later to Marawi City to help in the fight against the Maute-ISIS
extremist group.
On behalf of Commander,
8ID, Brig. Gen. Eliezer L. Losañes, AFP stated, “We are very proud
and truly grateful that you have contributed immensely to combat the
threat groups in Southern Philippines. The time has come that
Eastern Visayas needed her sons to safeguard the peace and
tranquility to prepare her for further development in the Region. As
the focus of the campaign plan shifts to this Region, your service
will have an important role in this quest.”
“Ang inyong pagbabalik ay
hindi nagpapahiwatig ng pagtatapos ng gulo sa Mindanao o pagdami ng
kalaban sa Silangang Kabisayaan. Ngunit ito ay nangangahulugang,
kinakailangan kayo para mas maitupad ng maayos ang ating isinusulong
para sa ikabubuti ng mga mamayan ng Samar,” Losañes added.
