A Baguio boy, M/Gen. Benedict Musni Arevalo, former commander of the 301st and 303rd Infantry Brigade, has assumed the helm of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division after a change of command ceremony on Sept. 21 in Aklan.
Prior to his appointment, Arevalo was the deputy chief of staff for Civil Military Operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He is no stranger to 3ID’s area of responsibility, for he spent the first 10 years of his military service at the Spearhead Division. He started his military career with the 3ID as tactical officer of the 3rd Division Training Unit from Oct. 16, 1990 to Feb. 16, 1991. He also served as Delta Company executive officer, Delta platoon leader and Delta Company of the defunct 7th Infantry Battalion (7IB), 3ID in the early 1990s.
He used to be an operations officer of the defunct 3ID’s 7th IB from 1992 to 1994. Other positions he once held at 3ID during his first field military service include CAA Company commander; deputy Nicom3, Nicom, 3ID; Nicom2, Nicom, 3ID; intelligence officer, 302nd Infantry Brigade; company commander, headquarters and headquarters company, 302Bde; intelligence officer, operations officer, and intelligence platoon leader of the defunct 66th Infantry Battalion.
He is a recipient of various military awards and decorations, including Distinguished Service Star, Bronze Cross medals, Silver Wing medal, Long Service medal, Anti-Diss Campaign medals and ribbons, and numerous military merit and civic action medals, and several commendations and honors both from military and civilian sectors.
He also finished various military schoolings and training both local and abroad, including Platoon Leader Course; SOT Training Course; Marksmanship Training Course; Basic Airborne Course; Intel Officer Course; Infantry Officer Basic Course; Infantry Officer Advance Course, and Preparatory Course (Language). He completed his Command and General Staff Course at CGSC, Indonesia.
He is a proud member of PMA Class 1990, Holy Family Academy and SLU Boys High School and one of the sons of alumni of Col. Filoteo S. Arevalo (PMA ‘56) and Norma Musni Arevalo. His siblings – all nicknamed Balong – cavaliers Alexander (PMA‘82), Filoteo (PMA ‘84), Robert (PMA ‘85) and Armand (PMA ‘91) have upheld the tradition of courage, integrity and loyalty.
He replaced B/Gen. Noel Baluyan, who served as an acting division commander, following the mandatory retirement of M/Gen. Eric Vinoya last Sept. 6. Baluyan is now his assistant division commander.
In his assumption speech, Arevalo guaranteed all Spearhead troopers that he assumed the post of 3ID not just to command and give orders but to serve thewm to perform their job well. He emphasized this philosophy will guide his leadership and the division is here to serve and not to be served. He said this philosophy will adopt a customer-friendly culture that centers on the welfare of the soldiers by treating them well with pride and dignity as the Division’s primary customers.
He also bared his campaign philosophy that will be guided by the mantra or slogan “Loved by people, feared by the enemy.”
He said the Spearhead Troopers should continue winning the hearts and minds of the people through CMO activities. And, to be feared by the enemy, they should be relentless, aggressive, and offensive in combat operations.
The new 3ID commander also underscored the importance of engaging the stakeholders, local government units, national government agencies, civil society organizations, academe, and different sectors to sustain the operational momentum and accomplishments.
He encouraged the stakeholders to be with the AFP in fighting two threats the country is facing at the moment: the CPP-NPA and the Covid-19. He said both should be faced squarely and should win over the threats they are posing.
“With your support, your Army and PNP can perform at its best to be able to deliver the peace that can contribute to the development of the region,” he added.
Lt/Gen. Andres Centino, commanding general, Philippine Army, expressed his confidence that Arevalo’s familiarity with the area and undeniable wit and creativity combined with his determination to win while putting premium to the welfare of the personnel, he needs to continue building on the gains achieved by his predecessors and former Spearhead Troopers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to bring just, genuine, and lasting peace and raise the Spearhead Division to greater heights,
You make Baguio proud, officer and gentleman, M/Gen. Arevalo!
While we are with family, our eldest John Paul celebrates his birthday today. We offer an Apache blessing: “May the sun bring you new energy by day, may the moon softly restore you by night, may the rain wash away your worries, may the breeze blow new strength into your being, may you walk gently through the world and know it’s beauty all the days of your life.” Sigh.
April 28, 2024
