COTABATO CITY, Philippines โ The saying that the best man for the job is a woman could be aptly applied to the country’s first woman Army battalion commander whoย has drawn praise from military officials, local executives, and peace advocates for exceeding expectations during her two-year leadership in Davao del Norte.
Lt. Col. Jovily Carmel Cabading, who led the Armyโs 60th Infantry Battalion (IB), formally relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jesus Rosete during a turnover ceremony on Friday, February 7, at Camp Morgia in Asuncion town. Major General Alvin Luzon, commanding officer of the 10th Infantry Division, officiated the turnover ceremony.
Awaiting new assignment
Cabading has been reassigned to the 10th ID headquarters at Camp General Manuel Yan Sr. in Barangay Tuboran, Mawab, Davao de Oro, while awaiting a new posting, which military officials said could be to a higher position.
โWe are proud of her. The 10th Infantry Division is now part of history for having a hardworking woman who led one of its battalions so well,โ Luzon said.
Reports in Central Mindanao quoted officials from women-led peace advocacy and humanitarian groups, including those based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying they were proud of Cabadingโs achievements as the first woman to command an Army battalion.
Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliรฑo-Mendoza, chair of the Regional Development Council in Region 12, said she hopes Cabading will be assigned to the Armyโs 6th Infantry Division, which covers large parts of her province.
โI wish she gets assigned to the 6th Infantry Division so we can work together in peacebuilding efforts in the communities under my jurisdiction,โ Mendoza said.
Army chief: ‘We are thankful.’
Police officials in Davao del Norte said Cabading closely coordinated with law enforcement units and supported operations against illegal drugs and other criminal activities involving remnants of the New Peopleโs Army (NPA), particularly in remote upland areas.
Local government executives also credited Cabading with helping facilitate the surrender of 412 NPA guerrillas across the province over the past 24 months, largely through backchannel dialogues.
Officials of the Davao del Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council said Cabading also played a key role in supporting the reintegration of former NPA members who have pledged allegiance to the government in recent months, in coordination with local officials and indigenous community leaders.
โFor what she has done, we are thankful,โ In a text message to reporters on Sunday, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete said, “For what she has done, we are thankful.”
About The Author
