Col. Cirilito Sobejana is the new commander of the Philippine Army Civil Military Operations Group.

Sobejana, who used to be assigned at the 11 th Infantry Battalion in northern Negros, replaced Tuesday Col. Felimon Santos, who was designated as Chief of Army Intelligence Service Group.

Sobejana, a member of PMA class '87, is one of the recipients of the Medal of Valor Award, the highest recognition given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves in combat by showing gallantry in the face of life and death.

CMOG, which he now commands, is the Army's arm in conducting non-combat activities engaging civil communities and organizations. Members are tapped by public schools for their maintenance programs, particularly in electrical, carpentry and construction works.

  After his stint in Negros Occidental, Sobejana was assigned to the elite Scout Ranger unit of the Philippine Army in Mindanao. He was conferred the much-coveted award by then President Fidel Ramos, in recognition of his exploits when they battled about 150 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Isabela town of Basilan on January 13, 1995.

Despite his injuries, that almost severed his right arm, Sobejana and his men stood their ground in four hours of intense fighting, military records showed.

Sobejana, who is known for his excellence in combat effort, is now facing another challenge of his career, which is community work and strengthening partnership with the civilian sector.

CMOG also responds in disaster relief operations, medical and dental missions, livelihood projects and trainings and other community outreach programs.

Sobejana was installed in his post Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Max Caro, Army chief of staff, at Fort Bonifacio in Manila.*GPB

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