ZAMBOANGA CITY – Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), led the send-off ceremony for the 5th Scout Ranger Battalion (5SRB) at Lamitan City Port in Basilan Province on November 8, 2023.
During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Gonzales awarded a Command Plaque to the battalion, acknowledging their valuable services to the people of Basilan and their significant contributions to the command’s mission accomplishments. He commended the officers and enlisted personnel of the 5SRB for successfully achieving their mission of fostering peace, security, and development in Basilan. Lt. Gen. Gonzales also extended his best wishes to the battalion as they returned to Luzon for an upcoming unit enhancement training.
The send-off ceremony was attended by Brig. Gen. Alvin Luzon, Commander of the 101st Infantry Brigade, Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay, military officials, and other guests. Prior to the event, Lt. Gen. Gonzales paid a courtesy call to Mayor Furigay at Lamitan City Hall.
In addition to the send-off ceremony, Lt. Gen. Gonzales conducted courtesy calls to Basilan Governor Hadjiman Hataman-Salliman on November 7 and visited the troops at the 101st Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan, on the same day.
During meetings with local government officials, Lt. Gen. Gonzales expressed appreciation for their continued support of the military and discussed strategies to address the root cause of violence, particularly the proliferation of loose firearms. He sought ongoing support for WestMinCom’s endeavors, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to achieve sustainable peace in the region.
Addressing the troops, Lt. Gen. Gonzales commended the men and women of the 101st Infantry Brigade for their unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and promoting lasting peace and sustainable development in Basilan. He expressed gratitude for their hard work and dedication, urging them to maintain the same level of zeal to sustain momentum in their mission.
