By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army formally installed Colonel Eliezer Losañes as the new commanding officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade (303IB) at Camp Major Nelson Gerona in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, yesterday morning, in a ceremony attended by Major General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID); and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.
Losañes, the former deputy commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade (301IB) in Panay island, replaced Brigadier General Francisco Delfin, who assumed command as Assistant Infantry Division Commander of the 3ID, based in Jamindan, Capiz.
In a brief interview following the ceremony, Losañes said the main focus of his command will be to expand humanitarian duties in far-flung areas in the Negros Island Region (NIR) and to assist in President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs and the terrorism.
He said he will also continue Delfin’s unfinished projects in the region.
Losañes also urged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) to come down from the mountains and return to mainstream society.
Marañon joined Losañes’ call, promising the government will provide the necessary livelihood and assistance.
“Just imagine the life of a CPP-NPA member, they have to face the rain, cold, hunger, fear and the constant offensives by the military, while their leaders are enjoying their lives in the Netherlands,” Marañon said.
Its members should give up, as the government is ready to help them, he added./WDJ