By Edwin Fernandez/ PNA
CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – The commanding general of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (6ID) — the military unit known for its peace advocacy programs — is one of this year’s Metrobank Foundation awardees.
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, 6ID commander, received the award from Metrobank Foundation, Inc. during an awarding ceremony for the organization’s 40th-anniversary celebration recently held in Pasay City.
Metrobank Foundation, one of the biggest non-profit organizations in the Philippines, targets to help sustain and develop education, arts, and culture in the country, among others.
It is considered as the most prestigious career-service award for Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors.
“Maj. Gen. Sobejana, also the commander of Joint Task Force Central, was one of the 40 exceptional men and women who are recipients of the 2019 Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) for setting a worthy example for every Filipino to emulate,” a statement from the 6ID released Tuesday said.
In 1995, the Metrobank Foundation also recognized Sobejana as an “outstanding soldier.”
For this year, the organization highlighted its celebration with the recognition of Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) to 40 selected partner institutions committed in uplifting the lives of the least in society and recognizing the best of the Filipinos.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was bestowed as one of the PEACE awardees with AFP Chief of Staff, General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. receiving the “Kapit-Bisig” trophy for that recognition.
The roster of the 2019 PEACE honorees consists of institutions from national government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, diplomatic missions, media, business, and the academe.
The ACES awardees received the “spiral medallion” (heart and zeal) from the board members of the foundation.
Maj. Arvin John Encinas, 6ID spokesperson, said Sobejana has led 6ID officers and personnel in promoting peace and in upholding the law against terrorists and peace saboteurs.
“While the 6ID area of responsibility comprising the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and part of Lanao del Sur, has been relatively peaceful in the past months, the military unit continues its operation against the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters operating in Central Mindanao,” Encinas said.
