The Guinayangan Republic

A Guardian Named Guerra

Son of Paquito Guerra and Norma Zagala was born on January 6,1954 in Guinayangan Quezon. He completed his early education from the Guinayangan Elementary and Guinayangan Academy, 1966 and 1970 respectively. He is a graduate of BS Economics in the Luzonian University in 1975 and completed Advance ROTC in the same year. He joined the Philippine army on May 16. 1976, commissioned 2Lt. 09 Aug, 1976, promoted 1Lt. 06 Nov.1979, CPT 06 1983, Maj. 01 July 1991 and Lt.Col. 01 April 2000. He is with the Army Special Forces Regiment. Now a full Colonel, Col. Darwin Z. Guerra is PA for more than 30 years.

Considered as one of the Army Officer who is a multi-combat military awardee, a recipient of “Gold Cross Medal” in 1994, and seven “Bronze Cross Medal” in succeeding years plus other distinguished military medals for leadership, gallantry in action, courage and bravery.

Adding to his credit are the awards and decorations, he is also a recipient of more than 50 commendations and honors (1978-1998) awarded by GO and NGO authorities.
For his Military Schooling, he has completed numerous courses that has given him knowledge and skills as an officer.

He was also featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer: Balance News Fearless Views (68 pages 4 section Vol.10 No.266 p7)

“A Guardian Name Guerra”
Zamboanga City-If ever residents of Western Mindanao, particularly Zamboanga City, are having a good night sleep these days, credit goes to the presence here of the Army’s 9th Special Forces under the command of Maj.Darwin Gurra. Guerra's men, who are among the most highly trained combatants in the Philippine Army's Elite Special Forces Corps, are manning critical areas surrounding Zamboanga City to keep criminal elements out of the city.
A veteran field officer who has promoted who has mastered the art of public relations to hilt, Guerra is friend and companion to most city officials and members of the local media.
Joining the Army’s Special Forces in November 2, 1977, Guerra who was promoted to the rank of Major on May 1991, was an instructor in the Special Forces School in Ft. Magsaysay for three years after taking up schooling operations at the Land Warfare Center in Queensland, Australia in 1990.
A graduate to Special Command Course at Ft. Magsaysay where he topped the class with Sen. Gringo Honasan as one of his instructors, Guerra has been practically assigned in almost all places in the country.
A recipient of the Outstanding Soldier Award in Negros in 1986, Darwin, who is married to a Zamboanguena, has Brig.Gen Victor Mayo as his regimental commander.
To most Zamboanguenos, security is a guardian named Guerra.

-by Rolly San Juan, PDI Mindanao Bureau



Official Philippine Army Press Release
Press Release Number: 02-025 Date Released: 23 Jan 2008

6 families held as hostages by MILF Lost Command

Six families were held as hostages after being robbed by suspected seven heavily armed Moro Islamic Liberation Front members at Sitio San Isidro, Upper Bunguiao, Zamboanga City at 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 21.

Reports reaching this headquarters disclosed that the armed men were members of the lost command of the MILF under alias Karaw, operating in the Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte.

The suspects arrived in the area, assembled the residents in one place, and started divesting them of their valuables. A certain Josebiao Diabordo Yke Ramirez, 42, one of the victims was divested of his cash money worth P30,000 and more or less 50 grams of gold dust.

After taking the valuable properties and items of the families, the suspects left the area, leaving all their hostages unharmed.

The same day, troops from Task Force Zamboanga led by Col. Darwin Z. Guerra, one platoon of 15th Division Reconnaissance Company led by 1Lt. Baduya and the Zamboanga City PNP immediately proceeded in the area to track down the fleeing bandits.


from the book"Guinayangan Noon at Ngayon" by Alodia F. Molines
from the http://www.army.mil.ph