TANJAY CITY, Negros Oriental, April 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade (IB) in Negros Oriental has a new commanding officer.

Colonel Joey Escanillas has been installed as the new command of the 302nd IB replacing BGen. Leonardo Peña who has been promoted to assistant division commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (ID).

Peña will now be reporting at the 3rd ID’s headquarters in Jamindan, Capiz.

Third ID Commanding Officer MGen. Marion Sison officiated the change of command and turnover ceremony held at the 302nd IB’s Headquarters in Camp Leon Kilat, this city on April 24, 2023. 

The 302nd IB’s partners in its peace-building initiatives also witnessed the ceremony.

Escanillas vowed to continuously pursue peace and security in the problems by addressing issues that fuel insurgency like poverty and intensify the campaign against recruitment of Communist-Terrorist-Groups (CTGs) among the youth.

“Our main goal is to finish the insurgency problem alongside with our support to law enforcement operations. I’m looking forward working with you, both the internal and external stakeholders, para po magkaroon ng katahimikan ang ating bayan (so that we can continue to have peace in our land),” Escanillas said.

Prior to his appointment as commanding officer of the 302nd IB, Escanillas was the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force Cebu.

Meanwhile, Sison told the soldiers of the brigade to fully support their new commander.

“To all Achiever troopers, I urge you to extend your support to your new commander. Let us sustain our gains. Marami pa tayong dapat tapusin. Marami pa tayong dapat gawin (There are still many things that we need to accomplish),” Sison said.

For his part, Peña thanked all the soldiers of the brigade and the battalions under the 302nd IB’s coverage area for their efforts that contributed to the peace and order situation in Negros Oriental under his term as their commander.

“Thank you for your sterling service and exemplary performance during my term which led to the myriad of remarkable accomplishments, most importantly the dismantling two guerilla fronts in our area of operations. The southeast front and the Bohol Party Committee, and the weakening of the Southwest Front known as the mother of all fronts in Negros Island,” Peña said.

He was also given a Distinguished Service Star with Second Bronze Anahaw Leaf for his meritorious and invaluable services as commander of the 302nd IB which resulted to significant accomplishments in military operations, law enforcement support, intelligence operations, logistics management, and personnel administration. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)