PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Western Command (Wescom) here celebrated its 42 years of service with General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday.
Lt. General Rozzano Briguez led the officers, men and women, and friends of Wescom in celebrating the event themed, “Kaagapay sa Katahimikan at Kaunlaran ng Palawan at ng buong Sambayanan”.
“As we chart the years ahead, rest assured that the Western Command will continue to be inspired and motivated by the support of our peace partners and the Filipino people. We will continue to be resilient and dependable as we are determined to keep the fire burning in our hearts to reaffirm our selfless devotion to duty and brave sacrifices for our great nation and its people,” said Briguez.
As part of the celebration, a series of pre-anniversary activities were organized and conducted in the city and the province.
Included were the Mangrove Tree Planting on February 14 at Sitio Barimbing, Barangay San Manuel; Medical and Dental Mission on February 24-25 in Rizal and Brooke’s Point, southern Palawan; 2018 Western Command Student Art Competition on March 5; Bloodletting Activity; 2nd Palawan Inter-school Debate Championship, and Gift Giving Activity also in Brooke’s Point.
The celebration also recognized Wescom personnel and stakeholders for their significant contributions to the overall mission of the Command.
Awarded were Capt. Cherryl Tindog, Wescom’s spokesperson and public affair’s chief; Technical Sergeant Gilmot Laranjo as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year; Glory Ann Laurel as Civilian Employee of the Year; CAA Donito Ribo as CAFGU Active Auxilliary of the Year; Lieutenant Colonel Sonny Gonzales as Distinguished Service Medal Awardee; Lt. Jose Oliverus Sepeas Distinguished Service Medal Awardee; Technical Sergeant Anthony Corpuz as Silver Cross Medal Awardee; 1st Lieutenant Maria Cristina de Vera as Military Merit Medal Awardee; Master Sergeant Manuel Autencio Jr. as Military Merit Medal Awardee;
Corporal Dexter A Espineli PAF as Kalayaan Island Group Campaign Medal and Ribbon (Bantay-Lahi) with Silver Fortress Awardee; Corporal Romero Coronado as Kalayaan Island Group Campaign Medal and Ribbon (Bantay-Lahi) with Gold Fortress Awardee; 44th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 as Combat Company of the Year; Headquarters and Service Coy, Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 as Combat Service Support of the Year BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF17) as Ship of the Year; N-22 NOMAD as Aircraft of the Year, and Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corps and Church of Latter Day Saints as Kapayapaan Awardees. (Celeste Anna Formoso/PNA)
