NEW ARMY MECHANIZED INFANTRY CHIEF URGES MEN TO WORK BETTER

CAMP O’DONNELL, Capas, Tarlac: The new commander of the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) based here urged his fellow soldiers to work better hand-in-hand as they confront more challenges in their duties. Major General Gilbert Gapay made the call as the MID celebrated the traditional New Year’s call recently following a command conference. He is optimistic that his men would perform better with their Constitutional mandate and said he is prepared to lead them by example, especially in war on terrorism and invasion, including their goal for Army transformation roadmap. A member of Philippine Military Academy’s “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, Gapay assumed the post last December, replacing Major General Edgar Gonzales who retired after 37 years of military service. He carries a long list of training, accomplishments, and leadership experience in the service, including his stint at the Western Mindanao Command during the Marawi crisis. As Army Aviator, Gapay is considered as one of the pioneers in the development of the country’s Army Aviation Battalion.

CENTURY OLD TREE KILLS BOY,7

BACOLOD CITY: A century old mahogany tree fell on a vehicle that resulted in the death of a seven-yea-old son of a town councilor in Iloilo on their way to a mountain resort in this capital city on Saturday. Chief Insp. Sherlock Gabana, commander of Bacolod City Police Station 5, identified the victim as Kent Marion Piñaflorida, son of Councilor Kent Roger Peñaflorida of Pototan, Iloilo. The boy and his family were on their way to Campuestohan Mountain Resort in Talisay City on board a Toyota Fortuner when the 100-year old tree fell on them while plying the highway in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City at about 1:45 p.m.. Gabana said the boy’s mother, Maureen, also suffered minor injury and was brought to Bacolod Doctors Hospital. The tree hit the boy on the left side of his head that caused his death. The elder Peñaflorida said they were on their way to the resort for a post birthday celebration of Maureen.