Cabreros is new Philipppine Army’s 3rd ID commander

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Brigadier General Harold Cabreros, an officer known for neutralizing the New People’s Army ranks in Mindanao, will now head the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

Cabreros will assume the post of 3rd ID commanding general on December 23, replacing Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mutiangpili, who is set to retire from the military service on Dec. 27.

Lieutenant General Eduardo Año, commanding general of the Philippine Army, will preside the turn-over of command ceremony at the 3rd ID headquarters at Camp Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

Cabreros, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1984, is the outgoing deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command. He also headed the Army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade of the 10th Infantry Division, which focused on military operations neutralizing Leoncio Pitao, known as Kumander Parago, the NPA’s top rank leader in Mindanao,

During his stint at the 1003rd IBde, Cabreros initiated Project Quest for Peace resulting in the fast clearing of NPA-infested areas in Davao del Norte and in some parts of Davao City.

Major Ray Tiongson, 3rd ID information officer, said Cabreros would be an asset to Western and Central Visayas. “He has vast experience in fighting insurgency,” he described Cabreros who he said could assure the public of peace and development in his new area of responsibility.

Cabreros previously headed the 50th IB of the 5th ID, the Alpha Company of the 54th IB, and the Alpha Company of the 50th IB, all in Northern Luzon.

He was also the chief of staff of the 7th ID, the deputy commander of the 703rd IBde, chief of the Unified Command Staff of the Northern Luzon Command, assistant chief of UCS for Intelligence, and then for Operations, and assistant chief of staff for operations of the 5th ID.

Cabreros, born in Alicia town of Isabela, earned his Master of Science in Public Management degree at the National College of Business and Arts in Quezon City.

Further, he was a recipient of four Distinguished Service Star Medals, two Bronze Cross Medals for bravery, three Gawad sa Kaunlaran Medals, 22 Military Merit Medals, 16 Military Commendation Medals, Long Service Medals, Military Civic Action Medal, and various campaign medals and ribbons. (FREEMAN)