By Julius Mariveles and Richard Meriveles
CAMP MAJ. NELSON GERONA, Murcia – Brigadier General Orlando Edralin, who boldly warned Communist terrorists that “blood will flow” two years ago, stepped down today as commander of the Philippine Army’s “fightingest battalion” and leaves behind Negros Occidental province with an insurgency in its dying throes as he ends more than three decades of service as a soldier.
“Mission accomplished,” Edralin told DNX over the weekend as he prepared to leave the brigade based here that leads the ground war against the Communist rebels.
The CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, once claimed the island as one of their bastions in the country where they counted their rifle strength in the hundreds and mounted combat victories that stood as national records for the NPA.
Edralin, who was installed as the 28th commander of the 303rd nicknamed “Brown Eagle,” left the fighting unit to Brig. Gen. Ted Dumosmog who will lead the Army to a continued offensive in the countryside and an increased focus on the operations of rebels in urban and town centers.
Dumosmog, former assistant commander for reservists and retirees of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division based in Cagayan De Oro City, was formally installed today, 5 November 2024, in a ceremony held here presided by Third Infantry Division commander, Major General Marion Sison.
At around 10:40am, as the strains of Auld Lang Syne played in the background, the Brigade’s sergeant major lowered the personal flag of Edralin that symbolized the end of a military career adescribed by a soldier-emcee as “distinguished.”
Sison awarded Edralin the Distinguished Service Star, the Philippine military’s third highest award, for his “meritorious” service as commander of the 303rd that chalked up significant gains during his stint.
These included the dismantling of three guerrilla fronts – Central Negros 1, Central Negros 2, and the Southeast Front – and the Regional Strike Force of the “totally collapsed” unified regional committee for Negros, Cebu, Bohol, and Panay.
Meanwhile, incoming 303rd Infantry Brigade Commanding Officer BGen. Ted Dumosmog acknowledged that he is accepting a “daunting task” of taking over as leader of a brigade that has been known for its impressive accomplishments, which became the fightingest under in the whole country.
“These tasks are daunting, but I accept the challenge,” Dumosmog said, acknowledging too that “maintaining peace is more difficult than waging war”.
He also addressed the stakeholders and civilian partners who were present along with the members of the brigade, encouraging them to continue the partnership and collaboration in ensuring that lasting peace, progress, and development be maintained in Negros Island.
“It is a nice feeling to be back,” he said, revealing that this is the third time that he has been assigned to the Division.
Dumosmog also thanked 3rd Infantry Division Commanding Officer Maj Gen Marion Sison for the trust and confidence in him, as well as President Bongbong Marcos for his promotion to general.
“March with me in unison, he said, adding, “we don’t work with a clean slate here as the [Brigade] has already established relationships with you all in our common aspiration for lasting peace and progress.”
