Saturday, December 1, 2007

19IB Unit Logo Interpretation


The patch and the seal of the Battalion is round bright green shield bordered with gold braid. At the center of the shield is the numerical number 19 which is the Army unit designation and superimposed on the number is a golden dog leaping passing thru the window of number 9. Significantly, the shield is a protection against any direct assault to a person holding it or persons who need protection. The gold braid around the edge of the shield denotes honor and nobility of purpose, the green color of the shield means youth and vigor. It personifies the composition of its personnel during its early organizational stage who were mostly in their twenties and the existing vigor both of the body and mind of all its members. The number 19 is colored bright red to denote courage. The golden dog leaping up is an attacking dog. It exemplifies the ability in the animal which is often stronger than man; speed; strength; ferocity and alertness. The dog is a faithful guardian since he is gifted with keen sense of smell and sight and can easily discriminate a friend from a foe. The word COMMANDO is emblazoned in red letter inside the shield below the number 19.
UNIT SEAL/LOGO OR PATCH:
Originally, the unit’s name was “Bloodhound” which means a blood snipping dog used to track down the enemy by power of smell and can contain them vigorously in any opportune time regardless of weather, terrain and situation. The unit has proven it worth on early 50s during HukBalahap Campaign in Luzon and as Philippine Expeditionary Forces in Korea (PEFTOK). However, after returning back in the motherland from Korea the then 19th BCT was unfilled and the remaining members of the unit were reassigned in the different Army units nationwide. On early 70s during the height of secessionist movement in Mindanao the unit was reactivated as Infantry Battalion. The unit Logo was change from “Bloodhound” to “Commando” during the time of then COL RUPERTO A AMBIL JR as battalion commander.
The name “COMMANDO” means action, command, do or take charge of an immediate action. Historically, Commando units of the British and Australian Armies were the elite units that accomplished legendary feats during the 2nd World War. They were noted for daring and extra-ordinary combat skills in the Philippines, this referred to the guerillas, civilian armed partisans who defied the Japanese army during the HUK campaign in the 1950s, there were also civilian volunteers who infiltrated and attacked the enemy. Soldiers donned civilian clothed to blend with the populace in combat operations were described as COMMANDO. The same characteristics that the present 4-wheeled armored vehicles now issued to the different units of the AFP is also called COMMANDO or V-150 indicative of the combat effectiveness and readiness of the vehicle. The vehicle is light, fast, armored protected, adequately armed and can operate in the most difficult terrain. These capabilities aptly describe a COMMANDO.
The patch and the seal of the Battalion is round bright green shield bordered with gold braid. At the center of the shield is the numerical number 19 which is the Army unit designation and superimposed on the number is a golden dog leaping passing thru the window of number 9. Significantly, the shield is a protection against any direct assault to a person holding it or persons who need protection. The gold braid around the edge of the shield denotes honor and nobility of purpose, the green color of the shield means youth and vigor. It personifies the composition of its personnel during its early organizational stage who were mostly in their twenties and the existing vigor both of the body and mind of all its members. The number 19 is colored bright red to denote courage. The golden dog leaping up is an attacking dog. It exemplifies the ability in the animal which is often stronger than man; speed; strength; ferocity and alertness. The dog is a faithful guardian since he is gifted with keen sense of smell and sight and can easily discriminate a friend from a foe. The word COMMANDO is emblazoned in red letter inside the shield below the number 19.