701st Infantry Brigade Change of Command

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental - A former acting chief of staff for personnel and administration officer of the army for the past ten months will take command of the 701st Infantry Brigade  in a change of command ceremony at the Brigade headquarters today (Feb. 10).

Col Bienvenido Datuin will succeed Col Benjamin R Madrigal Jr, who will be assigned to 10th Infantry Division as the new Assistant Division Commander.

Col Datuin is a seasoned officer who is experienced in both combat and non-co mbat operations. Prior to his designation as brigade commander he held several positions that require major responsibility to include platoon leader, company commander, chief of CMO Branch, operations and CMO officer of 703rd brigade, secretary general staff and admin officer, commanding officer of training school, assistant chief of unified command staff for operations of central command, AFP, commandant of NCR Regional Community Defense Group and chief of unified command staff.

He also had been the Commander of 28th Infantry Battalion, of 10ID and Army Personnel Management Center (APMC).He is a proud member of Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986. He also took up his Masters of Arts in Psychology in Saint Louis University, Bagiuo City and Master in Management Studies at the Australian Defense Force in Australia.

His journey in the military service was guided by his able leadership, competence and dedication to his job having undergone various schoolings both in our country and abroad to include the following: Bachelor of Military Science at Philippine Military Academy in 1986; Scout Ranger Orientation Course at Scout Ranger Training Center, FSRR in 1986; Civil Military Operations Course at CMO School, Philippine Army in 1991; Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Combat Arms School, Training and Doctrine Command, PA in 1992; Political Warfare Course at FHK College, Taipei, ROC in 1994, Defense Acquisition Course at United Kingdom Ministry of Defense in 1999; Command and General Staff Course at AFP Command and General College in 2005 and the 36th Pacific Armies Management Seminar at Canberra, Australia in 2012.                                                                                                        

 In his almost 29 years in service, Col Datuin has earned various awards and decorations. Among which are the following: three Distinguished Service Stars, three Gawad sa Kaunlaran Medals, three Long Service Medals, three Bronze Cross Medals, 38 Military Merit Medals, two Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal Award, eight Military Commendation Medals, 13 various service and campaign badges and 87 Letters of Commendation and plaques both from the military and civilian entities. (PR)