VIGAN CITY, Mar. 23 (PIA) - - The 702nd Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army joined the celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Philippine Army through a simultaneous flag raising ceremony across all Philippine Army Units on March 22.
Troops of the Defender Brigade, led by Brigadier General Krishnamurti Mortela, Commander of the Brigade, gathered in the Defender’s Advanced Command Post in Sagada, Mt. Province to participate in the ceremony.
Meanwhile, in Bugbuga, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, personnel of the 702nd Brigade also raise the flag in its Camp headed by Brigade Executive Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Vladimir Gracilla.
“Your Army will never rest until the last sitio of its area of operations will be free from insurgency. It is our honor to serve the fellow Filipinos in the North as we celebrate your Army’s 125th Day Anniversary,” Brigadier General Mortela said during the flag raising ceremony.
Prior to this, the Philippine Army conducted a simultaneous gift-giving program to all Army units in the country on March 14 to honor the sacrifices of its troops over the years.
In Ilocos Sur, the 702nd Brigade, along with the 71st Infantry Battalion and the 69th Infantry Battalion assigned in the province, joined the activity by conducting a ceremonial handover of anniversary packages to its army officers and enlisted personnel.
They received individual clothing and individual equipment which includes a battle dress uniform with complete accessories, undershirt polyester, short pants, athletic uniform, Army combat boots (suede), socks for boots, and Army rubber shoes (black).
The Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary or CAA personnel also received their athletic uniform.
“Nothing seems to beat the audacity to work for a man with a high state of morale, even though it seems to have rooted from a simple thing. After all, it is the thought that counts. Thus, the activity aims to honor every soldier for their selfless efforts and commitment to duty," Brigadier General Mortela said during the ceremonial turnover held in Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur.
The Army’s Defender Brigade primarily secures the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Benguet, Ifugao, and some parts of Abra.
It can be remembered that on February 24, Region 1 achieved its state of stable internal peace, security through the signing of Joint Regional Development Council 1 - Regional Peace and Order Council 1 (RDC1-RPOC1) Resolution No. 1, S. 2022 held in San Juan, La Union – a milestone for the accomplishment of the Army’s mission in the Region. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
