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Relinquishment Remarks
LTC JOSE C FAUSTINO JR (GSC) PA
Outgoing Commander, 35
th
Infantry Battalion, 1ID, PA
Claro M Rector, Maigo, Lanao del Norte / 17 January 2009
Today marks another momentous occasion not only to me, but to the incoming BattalionCommander, and the officers and men of 35
th
Infantry Battalion. This is both a beginning and an end. Today marks the end of my stint as a Battalion Commander andthe beginning of new chapter in the lives of these remarkably courageous officers andmen under the new leadership of LT. COL BONGOLAN.When I first took command of this unit, I knew that I am going to take the challenge of leading one of the Army’s finest Battalions. This Battalion is no ordinary Battalion,having been reborn in the battlefields of Sulu and raised by no less than COL ALAN“COBRA” ARROJADO and COL PAUL “VIPER”LORENZO. This Battalion is nostranger to combat, in fact, it lives by it. The unit is respected by civilians and by theenemy as well. Back then, I felt that the unit had high expectations from me, and I wasup to the challenge.The opportunities that had been handed to me these past two years had been numerousand had taken in different forms – professional and personal. I learned two different andinteresting cultures, Tausug and Maranaw, that most of us take for granted. My tour of duty here provided me with opportunities to learn that these cultures no matter howdifferent have the same thread with that of the mainstream culture that we areaccustomed to. These cultures are imbibed too with respect and love and just like theculture we grew in, would like to live in peace. Living in these parts showed me howtolerance and respect for each other are important fibers in the pursuit of peace. Ilearned that these threads can lead to meaningful friendship. Living in these parts alsogave me an opportunity to learn more about myself, that my resolve to help find peace isstrong and unwavering. Peace is not just a duty or mission but more of a personal credo.In the pursuit of this elusive peace, the challenges are staggeringly many. But thesechallenges no, matter how many or how difficult have been somehow assuaged becausethey were shared by the courageous men of 35
th
Infantry “
Makamandag 
” Battalion. Thesacrifices and struggles that my officers and men had to go through became meaningful because we are all in it not to wreak havoc or bring in the so-called “militarization”, butto protect and to bring peace to the lives of our friends and brothers. I am deeply privileged to have fight hand in hand with these truly honorably men. “I salute you for your manifested commitment and bravery.”
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