DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PNA) – The Philippine Army’s 79th “Masaligan” Infantry Battalion based in Negros Oriental has been adjudged the best battalion in terms of accomplishments and achievements in the 3rd Infantry Division’s area of coverage last year.

This was disclosed by 79th IB commander Lt. Col. Pio Diñoso III, who was guest of honor and speaker at the changing of the guards of the batallion’s Bravo Company at the Lagunao detachment in Puhagan, Valencia last Wednesday.

Diñoso said the feat was achieved through the untiring efforts of his men in winning the hearts and minds of the people through peace and development works, civil military operations, medical missions and outreach programs and backed by logistics from concerned local government units.

Meanwhile, the 79th IB’s Bravo Company has a new company commander in the person of Lt. Lusaylo Lunas who replaced Lt. Josen Torres.

Lt. Col. Diñoso underscored the turnover of command, saying that it is always the commander who bares the brunt if his unit fails.

“But if the unit succeeds, the commander will always credit the same to his men,” he said.

Diñoso ordered his men to accord the same support and dedication to work and country to the new commander of the Bravo Company as he exhorted the soldiers to continue working with dedication and commitment in achieving peace for Negros Oriental.

Negros Oriental is the only province among four provinces in Central Visayas that still has a relatively serious insurgency problem to solve.