By May Anne Love Deseo
NEW COMMANDER. Col.Henry A. Robinson, Jr talks during the change of command in Task Force Davao headquarters, Wednesday afternnon. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY— The Task Force Davao has a new commander in Colonel Henry Robinson Jr., whose new duties were formally turned over to him by outgoing Colonel George Lalaquil during the Change of Command Ceremony, Wednesday, May 18.
Prior to his designation, Robinson was the chief of staff of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Division Inspector General of the 10th Infantry Division, Deputy Personnel Officer of the Philippine Army, and Commander of 23rd and 29th Infantry Battalions under the 4th Infantry Division.
Robinson said that the TF Davao will continue on its mission based on president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s guidance, and that if there is “teamwork with other components of the government agencies like the Philippine National Police and the law enforcement agencies, then there is no way that criminality would thrive in the city.”
“I have to wait for the guidance of our mayor Rodrigo Duterte, of course I am really glad and appreciate that he approved my designation here as the commander of Task Force Davao,” Robinson told reporters after the ceremony.
He said that the task force has accomplished “a lot” when it comes to criminality. “It’s basic function is to counter terrorism, we will not allow any terrorist action within the city of Davao,” he said.
The ceremony held at the TF Davao headquarters in Sta. Ana Wharf, here was presided by Major General Rafael Valencia, commander of the 10th Infantry Division.
The change of command took place, said Valencia, because former Task Force Commander Colonel Cristobal Zaragosa was designated as a brigade commander in Agusan del Sur before the elections. Adding that because of the election preparations and because they could not designate a full-time commander, Colonel Lalaquil assumed as OIC for 33 days.
The event was also attended by the city mayor’s chief of staff, Atty. Neil Dalumpines, in representation of the supposed guest of honor and speaker president-elect Rodrigo Duterte.(davaotoday.com)
