KANANGA, LEYTE – Philippine Army’s 93rd Infantry (Bantay Kapayapaan) Battalion under the 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers Division) based in Brgy. Aguiting, this Municipality, is now under a new leadership with the Change of Command ceremony on July 1, 2025 which was presided by 8th ID Commander Major General Adonis Ariel G. Orio.
The occasion was graced by military men, stakeholders, partner agencies and officials including Palompon Mayor DM Oñate, Board Members Ivan Centino and Rico Codilla. Leyte 4th District Representative Richard I. Gomez was also present together with brother-in-law, Vince Rama.
Lieutenant Colonel Celeste Frank L. Sayson was officially installed as the new Commanding Officer, taking the reins from Lieutenant Colonel Charlie L. Saclot who now advances to a higher echelon in his military career as the 802 Brigade Executive Officer.
In his message, Lt. Col. Saclot expressed his words of gratitude towards the commander and other attendees. He also highlighted his appreciation to the support extended by the stakeholders and the Bantay Kapayapaan troopers during his service in the battalion and further encouraged them to continue the enthusiasm in supporting the newly-installed Battalion Commander. He was once given recognition because of the unit’s accomplishments in maintaining peace in the provinces of Leyte and Biliran.
The newly installed Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Sayson, on the one hand, vowed to sustain the peace efforts in the battalion’s area of responsibility. He also assured the troops that he would continue the excellent work of his predecessor and to lead the battalion to greater heights. He also gave signals to the enemy (NPA) and their supporters to stop and lay down their armed struggle, or else, they will have to face a “hard consequence.”
Finally, Major General Orio in his remarks commended the outgoing and incoming commanders and expressed his confidence that the new leadership would sustain the peace process initiatives and efforts. The 802 Peerless Brigade Commander BGen Noel Vestuir is expecting the newly installed Sayson to implement the mandate specifically on his “ultimatum,” for the NPAs here to surrender. (By Josie Serseña / EV Mail JULY 14-20, 2025 issue)
