First Lieutenant Felinger B. Catao, an Igorot Officer from Bokod, Benguet, was adjudged as the Best Junior Officer of the 10th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army during the celebration of its 5th Founding Anniversary in Camp General Manuel T Yan Sr, Mawab, Davao De Oro on Sept 7, 2021.
Catao is a Triad Officer of the 39th Infantry Battalion stationed in Makilala, North Cotabato wherein he is instrumental in conceptualizing and executing peace and development initiatives that led to the improvement of the security situation in their Battalion area of responsibility that contributed greatly to the overall mission of 10th Infantry Division of establishing a peaceful environment in South Eastern Mindanao conducive to progress and development.
10th Infantry Division through the Eastern Mindanao Command oversees all AFP units in Region 11 parts of Regions 10, 12, and 13.
Fel as fondly called by his friends and superiors is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Technology in Benguet State University - Bokod Campus and a product of Reserve Officer Training Corps of the same institution.
He was called to Active Duty in the Philippine Army Regular Force in 2014 and undergone the Officer Preparatory Course in the Officer Candidate School, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army in Camp O' Donnel, Tarlac City. He was subsequently deployed in Mindanao as Platoon Leader after completing the course.
He became the Company Commander of Charlie Company of 39th IB in 2017, true to his Igorot character a warrior and adherent to the "inayan culture" he was instrumental in reversing the peaking insurgency trend in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat where NPA guerilla bases abound during that time through his culture and conflict-sensitive approach.
Assisting his Battalion Commander Ltc Ezra L Balagtey who is also an Igorot officer, 1LT Catao is presently serving as one of the Triad Officers of 39IB and one of the focal persons in implementing security, peace, and development initiatives in the Regional boundaries of Regions 11, and 12 in far south Mindanao.
