By Edwin Fernandez/ PNA
PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Sultan Kudarat — The commander of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB) said he considers the surrender of some 200 communist guerillas as one of his top achievements.
Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc made the statement Wednesday as he handed over the reign of the 33IB to Lt. Col. Elmer Boongaling.
Cabunoc, who will be reassigned to the Philippine Army headquarters in Manila, said he is confident that his successor, who is also a Scout Ranger like him, is capable of continuing the Makabayan battalion’s gains.
He, however, turned emotional when asked by reporters here about his departure.
“I am both happy and sad. Happy, because I am moving up in my military career and sad at the same time (because) the unit I have served for two years has been a family to me,” Cabunoc said.
Under his leadership, the 33IB engaged in close coordination with stakeholders, local officials, and other security units in bringing about peace in its area of responsibility.
The 33IB covers the towns of Buluan, Pandag, Mangudadatu, Gen. SK Pendatun in Maguindanao, and the towns of President Quirino, Tacurong City, Bagumbayan and Sen. Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat.
Cabunoc enumerated a list of accomplishments that he said he was proud to accomplish with the men and women of the 33IB.
“I have accomplished several missions, and the other missions I already turned over to Lt. Col. Boongaling to achieve,” he said.
Aside from the surrender of more than 200 communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, Cabunoc said he was also proud with the unit’s efforts to help settle the long-standing feud of 16 warring Moro families, and the launch of the “Light a Barangay Project” for the solar light panel energizing of remote villages in Maguindanao previously frequented by Islamic State-linked armed men.
His unit was also responsible for the neutralization of several members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Cabunoc also facilitated the surrender of about 40 BIFF members.
He noted that the same BIFF surrenderers helped the Army locate other BIFF members in the vast Liguasan marshland and drove them away, allowing bird lovers to set foot in Maguindanao’s bird sanctuary.
IPs in tears
Several days before leaving the 33IB, Cabunoc went to the Upper Valley of Sultan Kudarat and personally bid goodbye to the Indigenous Peoples of Dulangan Manobo in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.
A teary-eyed Bangil Lantino, a leader of the Manobo Dulangan indigenous cultural community (ICC) said the entire ICC feels sad that Cabunoc who helped them get rid of the NPAs in their communities was leaving them.
Jenalyn, Lantino’s wife, said they have considered soldiers assigned in their area as family members.
“We are grateful you came over and helped us,” Jenalyn said in the vernacular in between sobs.
Before his farewell visit, Cabunoc, together with Boongaling, conducted an outreach program for the Manobo Dulangan community, giving them relief goods, slippers for kids, and bundles of used clothing for mothers and children.
The soldiers also helped put up solar electric posts in poor communities.
Don’t rest on laurels
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, who administered the turnover of command, told Cabunoc to continue his journey with the same enthusiasm while still at 33IB.
“Don’t rest on your laurels. You do not stop, you should keep on moving forward,” Sobejana told Cabunoc.
To Lt. Col. Boongaling, Sobejana said, “I urge you to emulate him (Cabunoc).”
Speaking to reporters, Boongaling noted that he is facing huge challenges ahead as he assumed leadership of the Army unit.
