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The 1st Light Armor Company stationed at Malacanang Park, Manila was activated on 16
March 1987 pursuant to Section II , General
Order Number 12
Headquarters Light Armor Brigade ,
Philippine Army dated 11 March 1987. The
personnel and equipment of the 2nd
Platoon, 3rd Light Armor Company, 4th
Light Armor Battalion was absorbed by this unit
in reference to section III of the aforecited
General Order.
The mission of this unit is "to provide
armor support to the Presidential Security Group
in protecting the President of the Republic of
the Philippines, the first family and the seat
of government".
Before the birth of the unit, the organization
was called the 1st Armor Cavalry (IAC) under the
leadership of ILT GREGORY RAMOS. However, in the
middle of 1986 IAC was renamed 2nd
Platoon, 3rd Light Armor Company of
the 4th Light Armor Battalion and
subsequently led by the following Commanders:
ILT LEONIDO BONGCAWIL, ILT BALINGASA AND ILT
RICARDO JALAD. And finally on 16 March 1987, one
(1) year and one (1) month after the EDSA
Revolution, ILAC was activated under the
leadership of CPT CRISANTO C REBOYA.
During the series of infamous coup de e’ tat on
280800H August 1987, CPT REBOYA deployed
defensively and strategically all the unit
armored assets to defend Malacanang complex
against misguided elements of the AFP whose
final goal is to overthrow the duly constituted
government. Again, the loyalty and integrity of
the unit was put to test on 01 December 1989
when its armored vehicles and crew played a
vital role in thwarting the air attack launched
by the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM)
which is a prelude to siege the Malacanang
Complex. During such crucial
period, ILAC has proven to be a potent
force in securing the life of the President and
members of her family by defending the seat of
National Government which earned praises and
admiration from no less than the Group Commander
of the PSG then COL VOLTAIRE T GAZMIN PA.
One of the most notable contribution of ILAC to
Presidential Security Group is the urban
camouflage stripe with its black, gray, and
white pattern on box like rectangular stripes
painted on its armored vehicles. The urban
camouflage design was introduced by then 2LT
JOHN REX PALMA, Executive Officer of ILAC,
during the time of MAJ REBOYA. The color and
design was patterned from the British Main
Battle Tank stationed at West Berlin, West
Germany as part of the NATO contingent. The
first armored vehicles to be painted with urban
camouflage were: an AIFV, a Commando V-150 and a
Scorpion CVR(T). These three vehicles were
presented to COL VOLTAIRE GAZMIN, then PSG Group
Commander, during the Christmas Party at the PSG
Grandstand on the afternoon of 21 December 1987.
At that time, the PSG urban camouflage design
was similar to the woodland pattern. The urban
camouflage as painted on ILAC armored vehicles
was then adopted to be the pattern of PSG
uniforms and was mass produced in 1992. Today,
it is the distinctive uniform worn only by the
PSG personnel.
On 01 August 1992, MAJOR REBOYA was relieved and
replaced by MAJ BONIFACIO T DE CASTRO PA. During
his term, aside from focusing the unit on Camp
Defense, MAJ DE CASTRO steered the unit into
athletics by regularly conducting Inter –unit
athletic Competition. The unit also started on
greening its areas, and at the end of Calendar
Year 1993 the unit garnered 2nd Place
in the PSG Clean and Green contest out of
thirteen (13) participating units of the
Presidential Security Group.
June 14 1994 was another milestone for the unit
when its new Commander CAPT ANICETO D VICENTE
assumed leadership of the unit. A pioneer of
ILAC since he was then assigned as the
Administrative Officer years back, CPT VICENTE
continued the legacy of the previous commander.
With his able leadership, at yearend of 1994 the
unit was adjudged as the Best Clean and Green
unit of the Presidential Security Group and
received the top prize from the command. During
the Light Armor Brigade’s 9th
Foundation Anniversary on March 1995, ILAC was
proclaimed as the Best Separate Company of LABde,
PA for Calendar Year 1994.
The volatile situation in southern Philippines
particularly in the areas of Basilan, Zamboanga
Peninsula and Cotabato Provinces in mid 1994
affected the employment of the unit’s armored
assets. On 24 August 1994, Two (2) Cmdo V-150
were pulled out from this unit to augment the
armored assets at Mindanao area.
The year 1995 starts a more challenging role for
the unit. Within this period, its personnel were
not confined only on the manning of armored
vehicles and performing routine duties but
likewise deeply involved in providing first ring
area security during PFVR engagements on both
NCR and
Provincial areas. Officers of the unit
were also assigned as regular member of the
Security Task Action Group (STAG). With all
these
additional/dual duties performed by the
Officers and Enlisted Personnel of the unit in
supporting PSG operation, still foremost in
their mind is the Company’s mandated mission: To
provide Armor Support to the Presidential
Security Group and maintain the highest level of
maintenance of the armor assets of the unit.
Again, the
Officers and men of 1st Light Armor
Company has proven that they are not only good
as crew of their respective Armored Vehicles but
can do other role in support to the Presidential
Security Group in the accomplishment of its
ultimate mission, that is: To protect the
President of the Republic of the Philippines and
his immediate family.
With the acquisition of
150 SIMBA Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFV), ILAC
was the first recipient of this latest addition
to armor inventory. On 21 Feb 1995, the unit
received two (2) new SIMBA AFVS with Admin Name
Mindanao and Luzon.
The operational environment especially with the
terrain condition in Mindanao area calls for the
redeployment of armored tracked vehicles of this
unit. On 12 October 1995, two (2) CVR (T), two
(2) APC, and one (1) AIFV were pulled out and
were replaced with five (5) SIMBA
AFVs on 19 October 1995.
On 23 January 1996, the unit received the SIMBA
AFV Command Vehicle intended solely for the use
of the President of the Republic of the
Philippines in times of extreme emergencies. The
Command Vehicle has the same configuration of
the ordinary SIMBA AFV but complemented with
full amenities of high technology communication
equipment such as Lap tap computer, fax machine,
cell phone, GPS etc.
The 10th day of January 1997 marked
another era for the unit when CPT ROBERT C DAUZ
(CAV) PA assumed command of ILAC. CPT DAUZ, the
“Working Commander” adopted the policy “Power
Down”. The policy is simple and very basic but
requires everyone’s best for the good and
upliftment of the unit. NCO’s are tapped to be
creative in their field of endeavor in the
creation of new ideas, innovations, suggestions
and recommendations and be responsible enough in
the implementation of the plans/projects once
approved. “The word of a Sgt to a Cpl is as good
as the word of a General to a Private”. True to
its commitment of hard work, the unit garnered
the distinction of being the Overall Champion in
the 11th PSG Sports fest ’97 with
eight (8) trophies. Likewise, the unit was
declared together with the Presidential Police
Office as the winners (Ist Place) in the PSG
Clean and Green Competition ‘97
On 01 April 1997 during the 11th
Foundation Anniversary of the Light Armor
Brigade, the unit has bested four other Separate
Company and was declared as the Best Separate
Company of the Light Armor Brigade for Calendar
Year 1996. Likewise, it was also adjudged as the
Best Company in Operation and Best Company in
Administration for CY '96. The pressing need for
more tracked vehicles in the Southern
Philippines prompted Headquarters Light Armor
Brigade for another realignment of Armored
vehicles. On 20 April 1997, the unit received
two (2) Simba Bushmaster in exchange of two (2)
AIFVs. The AIFVs were back-loaded from this unit
to H4LAC Fort Bonifacio, Makati City on 06 and
09 May 1997 for subsequent deployment in the
south.
On 242030 Sep 97 was a tragic night for
ILAC when TSg Rolando R Mendoza
611193 (Cav) PA, the First Sergeant of
the unit passed away due to cardiopulmunary
arrest secondary to recurrent tension
pneumothorax at the Philippine Heart Center. His
untimely death came eight (8) days after
undergoing a Heart Surgery Operation. He was
accorded full military funeral services and was
buried at his hometown at Brgy Ungab, Cuyapo,
Nueva Ecija on 02 October 1997.
He was forty one (41) years old. He was
replaced by TSg Venancio P Leal 650724 (Cav) PA
who assumed his post as Company First Sergeant
on 1 November 1997.
On 1 April 1998 during the 12th
Foundation Anniversary of the Light Armor
Brigade, the unit has bested four other Separate
Company and once again declared as the Best
Separate Company of the Light Armor Brigade for
Calendar Year 1997.
As a unit to reckon with in the field of
athletics, ILAC was adjudged as the overall
champion in the Platoon Run competition
conducted by PSG on 7 Nov 98. With a time of 25
min 35 sec for a 5km run, the ILAC Platoon
(1-Offr, 33- EP) emerged as the CHAMPION Team
with an average score of 97% over seven (7)
competing PSG organic and OPCON units.
On 24 June 1999 during the 101st
Foundation Anniversary of
PSG,
again the unit was awarded
as the
Overall Champion
in the
PSG Summer Sports fest ‘99
with five (5) trophies.
10 January 2000 was another milestone for the
unit when its new Commander CPT WILLIAM A
ALUNDAY assumed leadership of the unit. CPT
ALUNDAY continued the legacy of the previous
commanders.
On 5 April, 2000 during the 14th
Foundation Anniversary of the Light Armor
Brigade, the unit has bested four (4) other
Separate Companies and once again declared as
the Best Separate Company of the Light Armor
Brigade for Calendar Year 1999.
On 23 June 2000 during the 102nd
Foundation Anniversary of
PSG,
once again the unit was awarded
as the
Overall Champion
in the
PSG Summer Sports fest ‘00
with three (3) trophies.
On the 19th to 20th day of
January 2001, the unit as a member of the Armed
Forces kept its composure and strictly followed
the chain of command and legal orders coming
from the competent authority (Chief of staff,
AFP) during the ouster of former President
Estrada by people power.
In spite of such pronouncement, the unit
stayed solid and never abandoned its duty of
protecting the President and his family and
preserving the seat of the government from
looters and other bad element of our society.
Once again the unit performed its mandated
mission to support the PSG in protecting and
securing the safety of the President, the first
family and the seat of the national government
during failed power grab at Malacañang on 01 May
2001.
The 30th day of May 2001 marked
another era for the unit when CPT POTENCIANO C
CAMBA (CAV) PA assumed the command of ILAC.
Although he has an additional duty as the
aide-de-camp and security officer to President
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, the energetic and down
to earth commanding officer never neglects his
duty to look after the welfare and morale of the
personnel and the unit.
On 29 June 2001, Samaritan Ambulance AV with
admin nr. A1013018A was back loaded/evacuated to
SSBn, LABde, PA due to its inoperable status.
On 16 April 2002 during the 16th
Foundation Anniversary of the Light Armor
Brigade, once again, the unit has bested four
(4) other Separate Companies and was declared as
the Best Separate Company of the Light Armor
Brigade for Calendar Year 2001. Likewise, it was
also adjudged as the Best Company in
Administration for CY 2001.
On 01 June 2003, another change of command is
witnessed as CPT DENIE MAR A CLEMENCIA succeeded
CPT CAMBA to become the 7th Commanding officer
of 1LAC. During the tenure of CPT CLEMENCIA,
1LAC was deactivated and renamed as 11th
Mechanized Infantry Company to become a
part of the newly activated Mechanized Battalion
of the Light Armor Division pursuant to section
II, GO # 317 HLABde dtd 16 June 2003 with same
available armored assets and personnel. A month
after his installation as the head of the
armored troop defending Malacanang, CPT
CLEMENCIA and the Unit’s loyalty and audacity
was put into test when a group of disgruntled
military personnel siege Makati area and
launched the so called “OAKWOOD MUTINY”, 11th
MIC remained intact to defend the seat of
government without any reservations against
possible attack from same groups. On 18 October
2003, another significant accomplishment was
during the participation of the unit in the
conduct of security operations for the official
visit of no other than the President of the
United States of America His Excellency GOERGE W
BUSH.
On 15 March 2005, CPT CLEMENCIA was relieved and
succeeded by CPT RENE R MARCIAL to become the 8th
Commanding officer of the unit. During his
stint, CPT MARCIAL continues to show off the
units’ long time legacy of physical and
athletics excellence as once again, 11th
MIC was adjudged as Best Company in
administration and athletics for CY 2005.
On 16 August 2006, 11TH Mechanized
Infantry Company witnessed another change of
command between CPT MARCIAL and CPT ROMMEL
PERENA. Being the 9th Commander, CPT
PERENA established and organized the personnel
of the unit to compose a strong team to compete
against the Organic and Opcon units of PSG. The
effort of the newly installed commander becomes
a success as manifested by the awards and
recognition that the unit has received for being
the champion during the PSG Sport fest 2007 and
1MIB Anniversary Sport fest 2007 at Fort
Bonifacio. On the other hand, the unit never
fails to perform its primary duty and mandated
task to protect the President and the seat of
government. On 19 November 2007, the 11th
Mechanized Infantry Company once more
displays its meritorious significance in
defending Malacanang during the second attempt
of the disgruntled group to conduct debacle
against the government as they siege the Manila
Peninsula Hotel. The troops of 11th
Mechanized Infantry Company painstakingly
guarded the periphery of the Malacanang Complex
for possible armed attacks from the day that the
threat was detected up to the day the situation
has been totally controlled.
On 01 February 2008, CPT PERENA was
relieved by his executive officer, CPT FERDINAND
L DELA CRUZ to continue the command and be the
10th Commander of 11TH
MIC. As a newly installed Company Commander and
being the former executive officer of the unit,
CPT DELA CRUZ never had a hard time to continue
of what the unit had accomplished. The unit
constantly excels on sports and athletics and
continuous to received awards and recognition on
that field. On 01 July 2008, because of the
rising threats in Central Mindanao wage by the
MILF Breakaway group led by Commander Umbra Kato
of the 105th BC the 1st
Mechanized Infantry Battalion was pulled out
from Metro Manila in order to augment the
government forces in Central Mindanao. With this
strategic move of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, two (2) Mechanized Infantry Company
of 1ST MIB including its Hqs Company
was sent to Mindanao on July 2008 leaving behind
the 11th Mechanized Infantry Company
to continue providing security to the President
and the seat of government.
On 01 June 2009, another turned over of
command had witnessed as CPT DELA CRUZ was
relieved and succeeded by CPT JOEY B BAYBAYAN to
continue the torch of leadership of the unit.
Being the 11th Commanding
Officer to assume responsibility of the 11th
Mechanized Infantry Company, CPT BAYBAYAN
formulated policies and programs congruent to
the Action Plans and Visions of the Light Armor
Division giving emphasis on Discipline, Morale
of personnel and Operational Readiness as well
as Maintenance of Armor Vehicles. Immediately
after assumption of command, CPT BAYBAYAN
conducted visits/inspections of troops to
include the status of armor vehicles and company
facilities.
During his term, the unit livelihood projects
were established such as the creation of Hito
and Tilapia pond and Vermi Culture pit in
support of the Divisions Livelihood programs.
Modifications and constructions of company
facilities were also carried like the renovation
of the Company conference room/classroom
conducive for learning. And the installation of
rain gutters on tank shed roof as source of
water for cleaning Armor Vehicles and watering
plants that obtained a commendable certificate
of recognition from Headquarters Presidential
Security Group for conserving and reusing water
on 12 November 2009. To keep the operational
readiness of every vehicle and to support the
maintenance programs of the unit, maintenance
bay was also constructed. Procurement and
improvement of Morale boosting entertainment
amenities and equipment was also accomplished to
maintain the working interest of every personnel
of the unit.
On operations, the unit’s Extrication Armor
Vehicle (SFV TABLAS & SFV JOMALIG) led by CPT
JOEY B BAYBAYAN together with his executive
officer 1LT ERNANIE B MARTIN was utilized as the
primary vehicle to transport Her Excellency
President GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO during the
emergence of Typhoon “ONDOY” from Malacanang
Palace to Legarda Station on 26 September 2009
to surpass the flooded areas along her route
towards NDCC headquarters for an emergency
meeting, remarkably this was the very first
instance that the President utilized the Armor
Vehicle of the unit for transportation since its
activation. The unit also participated in the
conduct of Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation
Operations in coordination with PSG during
Typhoon “ONDOY” and Typhoon “PEPING” wherein
Metro Manila was submerge to flood due
continuous rain showers.
Another
major achievement, at some point of his company
commandership in 11th MIC was the
company initiated acquisition of the one (1) KM
450 1 ¼ Ton Truck in which the company seriously
needed for its logistical and admin movements.
On 16 March 2010, another significant
transformation had witnessed by the officers and
men of the unit that etched in its history, was
the renaming of the unit from 11th
Mechanized Infantry Company to its original unit
name 1st Light Armor Company
(Separate) pursuant to General Orders 239 dtd 31
March 2010.
In view of the growing developments in the field
of Information and Technology the unit never
allows to be left behind on this aspect. On 09
June 2010 another milestone of the unit in terms
of information advance was realized when the
official 1LAC web page was develop to constantly
inform and links everybody on the recent and
future activities of the unit.
The 1st
LIGHT ARMOR COMPANY throughout his tenure
alone, completed a total of six (6)
in-service training and One (1) in-house
training benefiting 127 organic
personnel of 1LAC.
Today, ILAC has withstood several challenges and
pressures . . .
and shall face more of these. With vigor
and dedication, the Officers and men will
continuously stride to make great things
possible guided by its dictum.
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