New 302nd Brigade leader to adopt way of peace

BATTLE scarred and heavily decorated full-bloodied ranger and newly installed 302nd Brigade (302nd Bde) Commander Col. Jessie D. Dellosa said he is adopting the way of peace for Bohol, instead of pursuing the tough way the rangers are known to do conflict resolution. At the Change of Command Ceremonies, Monday January 29 at the Camp Rajah Sikatuna in Carmen, the Philippine Military Academy Class '79 leader said he would work closely with the civilian sector while reiterating that defeating insurgency is not just a military concern. 3rd Infantry Division (ID) Commanding General Victor Ibrado, who presided over the turn-over rites proudly said that the new Bohol army top commander has been a consummate man of character and competence. Maj. Gen Ibrado said Col. Dellosa, a Bicolano and raised in Quezon province has earned his way to the top of the army organization consistently earning the 3M awards, military gold cross awards, at least 5 bronze cross awards and more than 20 military merit awards while leading the government campaigns against Muslim secessionists. “Jess' reputation is unblemished, no doubt he will bring the 302nd Brigade to new heights,” Gen. Ibrado said.

The 3ID based in Jamindan Capiz commander shared that under Col Dellosa who was operations officer and chief of staff of the 4ID has led the neutralization of feared Muslim Abu Sayaff warrior Abu Sulayman. Sulayman reportedly has a cash bounty $5M over his head, this he got after owning the February 14 bombings in Mindanao and leading anti government raids in military detachments years back. But even after commanding at least three ranger and special forces regiments, Col. Dellosa, in an interview minutes after his formal assumption following an the age-long military tradition of changing of the guards said he would continue the progress Bohol has made in its successful counter-insurgency programs.

“Being new here, I will familiarize and orient, adjust as whet the military has taught us, establish rapport and then look at what could be done,” he said. Faced with the real problem of troop discipline that may snag his envisioned campaign for peace, he said he would pursue strict discipline of troops to advance the cause for peacekeepers. “ I see this as one of the most peaceful assignments, he bared. Bohol has hit national government headlines when it started non-conventional anti-insurgency operations by rooting out poverty. The program initiated by former 302nd Bde Commander, now Brig. Gen Juanito Gomez and the Provincial Government and the Local Peace Forum concern converging all government and civilian initiatives by advancing government near the people. For this, the province was cited for reducing insurgency fronts from four to one and authorities have been processing the return of active fighter who have finally decided to leave the armed struggle for a life in the mainstreams. In his address, Col. Ibrado again issued the call for rebels to now rejoin the folds of the law as he added that the assignment would put his office accessible as he vows to pursue his dreams [of peace] with greater vigor.

l