DAVAO ORIENTAL – After almost two years of serving as the commander of the Philippine Army’s 701st Kagitingan Brigade based in the province, Brigadier General Reuben Basiao has officially relinquished his post, leaving behind a huge mark in the province’s peace and development condition.
During the change of command ceremony on Thursday, November 15, Brig. Gen. Basiao received resounding praises from the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and civilian stakeholders who came to witness the historic ceremony.
Living up to the legacy of his predecessors, Brig. Gen. Basiao, the brigade’s eleventh commander, has carved landmark accomplishments which extends beyond dismantling guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army rebels, reduction of enemy strength, and seizing of enemy firearms as he also introduced innovative strategies that strikes insurgency at its core.
Among them is his brainchild Community Support Program, a ground-breaking military-led peace campaign, which continue to strengthen barangay-based institutions especially in conflict-affected areas, thus supporting the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s promotion on good governance. It has also been aiding government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others in introducing livelihood opportunities to many communities, and has been turning former Underground Mass Organizations to legitimate and thriving People’s Organizations consisting mostly of farmers.
While he admitted that the transformation of the province from being a hotbed of insurgency to a conflict-manageable and development-ready area had already began in 2010 to 2012, which he describes as the “years of reawakening”, Brig. Gen. Basiao, in his speech, attributed this change to the favorable conditions that paved the way for a more peaceful province. Among them is the shift in the design of the military’s campaign plan which was known as the Internal Peace and Security Plan – Bayanihan, of which the campaign thrust was centered on human security, addressing the issues that feed on insurgency was a major component.
Another condition was the intensified stakeholder’s engagement. “The dedication of the military to clear the province of armed NPAs was match with the passion of our partner agencies to address the issues that leads to conflicts,” he said.
He cited the Provincial Government’s flagship program called Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental – Barangay Outreach Caravan as a perfect example of a civilian-initiated counter-insurgency program being strongly supported by the military. Through the effective delivery of basic services in formerly conflict-affected areas, the program became one of the recognized best practices in addressing issues that feed on insurgency.
“The local and national government agencies have synchronized their programs to match with the pace and the requirements of our campaign plan. The usual needs of a conflict-affected area have become part of the annual program of these agencies. Peace and development programs of our partner agencies have been mainstreamed in the civilian agencies’ planning and budgeting processes,” he added.
He emphasized that close coordination, shared vision and commitment of local government units and national government agencies are needed for the sustainability of peace and development programs for the generations to come will be ensured.
He concluded his message by thanking the brigade’s partners as he also vowed to watch over the province 24-7 as he will be assuming a post in the AFP Command Center, a crucial component of the AFP which oversees and monitors the activities and progress of the AFP’s peace campaigns.
Job Well Done
Brig. Gen. Basiao’s accomplishments were lauded by 7th Infantry Division Commander Major General Felimon Santos, Jr. “We thank you for a job well done. The 701st Brigade has performed very well. You have executed and even surpassed the expectations from you when you assumed command of this brigade. You have achieved substantial feats in our operational focus against the communist-terrorists here in Davao Oriental,” he said.
Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang also expressed his gratitude to the outgoing commander for his efforts in making his province conflict-resilient. He wished him luck on his new assignment as he vowed to also extend the same courtesy and support to the incoming commander.
Big Shoes to Fill
Brig. Gen. Basiao handed over the brigade’s command to incoming commander Col. Manuel Sequitin, the former Chief of Staff of the AFP’s 10th Infantry Division. With “big shoes to fill in”, Col. Sequitin, accepted the challenge as he vowed to continue what has already been started in the province branded as the “factory of generals”. He said that he will be in constant coordination with the provincial government and other stakeholders to further push and pursue peace and development in the brigade’s areas of responsibility.
High-ranking officials of the AFP have also graced the ceremony. Among them are two former commanders of the 701st Brigade: Eastern Mindanao Command Commander Lt. General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. and the Commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service Major General Bienvenido Datuin, Jr. Also present at the ceremony are 10th ID Commander Major General Noel Clement, Compostela Valley Province Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, and other local government officials.
The 701st Brigade Area of Responsibility covers the whole Province of Davao Oriental comprising of 183 barangays. It also include the municipality of Lingig, Surigao Del Sur and the municipalities of Maragusan, New Bataan, Compostela and three barangays in the Municipality of Pantukan in Compostela Valley Province. Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
