Written by Atty Pedro Leslie “FRMG PLS” B Salva,
PGBI Legal Counsel and Incorporator
Like any organization, the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Incorporated (PGBI) has its own story to tell. The PGBI as an organization did not just appear out of the blue. It has undergone its own process and in the passing of time, it became as it is now, the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Incorporated (PGBI) with members coming from various sectors of the society from the once exclusive circles of men in uniform.
The PGBI traces back its history when in the late 70’s a small group of non-commissioned officers led by then Constable First Class Leborio “FGF Abraham” Jangao, Jr formed a small circle of military men and called themselves the DIABLO SQUAD. It remained to be within the Mindanao area and there was no significant growth of the organization as it limited its circle to military men. However, due to the noble purpose for which the organization was created, slowly the organization grew despite some sort of resistance from the higher command in the military. The group remained as an informal organization until March 12, 1984, when the DIABLO SQUAD (CB) BROTHERHOOD ASS’N., INC was registered with the SEC under Registration No. 119564. No Constitution and By-Laws was submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
However, barely nine (9) months after, another group called themselves as the GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD, INC. (GBI) applied for an SEC registration and on December 10, 1984, the group was duly registered with the SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. It is worthy noting that in those two (2) SEC registered organizations, the fifteen (15) incorporators in each group are totally different.
On April 18, 1986, another group, a product of the unification process on the different GUARDIANS factions registered with the SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION under the name GUARDIANS CENTRE FOUNDATION, INC. Of the fifteen (15) incorporators listed on the registration document of the GUARDIANS BROTHERHOOD, INC., five (5) became part of the fifteen (15) incorporators of the GUARDIANS CENTRE FOUNDATION, INC. (GCFI) The organization as a result of unification efforts significantly increased its members, especially when lots of civilians called the MAGIC GROUP has played an active and exemplary role in the growth of the organization.
However, it was perceived that there is still a need to unify further the organization as some have been doing their activities on their own. Sen. Gregorio B. HONASAN II and his trusted men then started to solidify and intensify the recruitment of membership through more unification efforts. Though more unification efforts were undertaken in Mindanao and in other parts of the country, it did not achieve what the leaders were expecting. It was only when a national convention was called primarily through the efforts of then Sen. Gregorio B. HONASAN II that a greater impact of unification was felt.
During the provisional months of the unification efforts, some responded readily considering the good senator then as the unifying factor while others may have absorbed it negatively. Grueling tasks indeed but the unification core group was not derailed by all those discouragements and thus continued with their quest for uniting the brotherhood into one cohesive national organization.
Thus, the day of reckoning did happen on March 18 and 19, 2000 when GUARDIANS elders and key leaders coming from the different major factions of the GUARDIANS movement and splinter groups convened for a unification meeting in Manila. Expected as it was, the scenario and environment were very unlikely from the day the representatives/delegates from thirteen (13) regions with different orientations arrived all claiming to be the original GUARDIANS organization. Because for nearly twenty-five (25) years, the GUARDIANS movement had no clear vision of its directions nor any proposed formal structure.
Although it was indeed a lengthy heartbreaking discussion and battle of the GUARDIANS titans; from the result of the unification, meeting lies a great story… the birth of the “Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Incorporated (PGBI)” to unify all GUARDIANS factions and splinter groups under one umbrella organization.
On June 26, 2000, the SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION registered and issued SEC Reg. No. A200008885 to the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Incorporated (PGBI).
The following are the delegates coming from different regions and representatives from some major factions of the GUARDIANS that drafted the PGBI Constitution and By-laws and the incorporators of the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Incorporated (PGBI)
Incorporators:
Fernando “RMG ELSEWHERE” Malamion
Representative, CAR Region
Isa Perfecto Vergel “RMG MOHAMMAD” De Dios, Jr.
Representative, NCR Region
Atty. Rex Alvin “RMG ARAB” Bilagot
Representative, Region I
Miguel “RMG MASTER” Salomon
Representative, Region II
Isaac “RMG MEL” Padilla
Representative, Region III
Ernesto “RMG MAO” Macahiya
Representative, Region IV
Atty. Romeo “RMG ISAROG” Tayo
Representative, Region V
P/Col Steve “SGF SKIPPER” Martir
Representative, Region VI
Atty. Pedro Leslie “RMG PLS” B. Salva
Representative, Region VII
Dr. Pantalleon “RMG EXPLORER” Crodua
Representative, Region VIII
Hamid “RMG AMID” Julhani
Representative, Region IX
Atty. Arthur “RMG COMET” Abudiente
Representative, Region X
MSgt. Dionisio “FGRF DANIEL” Quieta, Jr.
Representative, Region XI
Witnesses:
Sen. Gregorio “GS GRINGO” B. Honasan II
National President / Chairman
C1C Leborio “MFGF ABRAHAM” Jangao, Jr.
Master Founder
Col Billy “SGF SIERRA” Bibit
Consultant
Ernie “MG CARUB” Burac
Interim Secretary-General
George “FGBF GEORGE” M Dul-dulao
Consultant
Bernard “RMG RANGER” Corella
Consultant
Elixier “RMG NOAH” Bongabong
Consultant
Garibaldi C. Sungduan
Consultant
As early as July 2000, the Organization have spread like a vine outside the Philippines, as far as Middle East where the first leaf of PGBI was traced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and fast spreading with no boundaries. The existence of overseas chapters where brothers and sisters composed of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) cannot be denied playing very important roles in growth and giving more strength in the PGBI.
The fact could not be denied that the charisma and popularity of Sen. Gregorio B. HONASAN II as the PGBI’s GRAND SUPREMO, and the magical acceptance and the high morale and reputation of GUARDIANS movement contributed to each other for the growth of the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Incorporated (PGBI). by leaps and bounds. Sen. Gregorio B. HONASAN led the PGBI as its National President and Chairman from its inception of the PGBI in year 2000 up to year 2013. For thirteen (13) years, Sen. Gregorio B. HONASAN II was leading the organization.
However, in Tacloban City convention on September 21, 2013, Sen. Gregorio B. Honasan II was expelled from the organization thru the Resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC), the governing body of the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Inc. In that convention the NEC elected Atty. REX ALVIN “ARAB” BILAGOT as the new National President and Chairman of the PGBI, and as such Atty. Rex Alvin “FRMG ARAB” Bilagot became the new GRAND SUPREMO of the PGBI.
Atty. Rex Alvin “FRMG ARAB” Bilagot led the organization for about five (5) years. On the 15th National Convention in Baler, Aurora last June 2, 2018, the NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) elected Engr. MELLIARDINE “FRMG MEL” GAMET as the new National President and Chairman of the PGBI, who then assumed as the new GRAND SUPREMO.
On the 16th National Convention in ISULAN Provincial Capital, Sultan Kudarat, a NEC Resolution was made expelling Atty. Rex Alvin Bilagot and some of his trusted men for gross and palpable violations of the PGBI Constitution and By-Laws and in sowing intrigues and divisions within the PGBI organization. Much time, chances and opportunity were given to Atty. Rex Alvin Bilagot and his men to rectify their errors, yet they remained stiff-necked and openly defied orders and resolutions given to them.
Changing conditions and needs, however, dictate that the PGBI Constitution and other legal orders should likewise reflect the changing times. Structural/Organizational refining was affected to start from top PGBI hierarchy and each one has its own time to leave and has choices to be made in each time whether graceful or ungraceful. In the instance, those choices are sometimes painful if it means accepting ungraceful exit from the organization. Although they form part in carving PGBI history, we have to respect and let them go.
Truly the PGBI organization had its ups and downs, and at times cleansing was done within the organization, yet until today, the PGBI stands proud and steadfast in its goal of being a partner in our country’s aim of nation building. The PGBI until now remains strong in its mission to help and care each other as brothers and sisters in the organization and be of help in the community. Molding each member into becoming a better person and remaining an asset to our community.
With the able leadership of Engr Melliardine “GRAND SUPREMO MEL” G. Gamet, the Philippine GUARDIANS Brotherhood, Inc (PGBI), the organization will be moving on its right track in accordance to the principle embodied in the preamble of the PGBI Constitution and By-laws: To serve GOD, COUNTRY and FAMILY. The organization is getting stronger as it celebrates its 20th year of existence. Long live PGBI! Long live the GUARDIANS!
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Quote on History: "A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Marcus Garvey
2020 Copyrights, Committee on Professional Development & Continuous Education)
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