NAGTALAGA ang Armed Forces of the Philippine ng bagong mamumuno ng kanilang pwersa sa Eastern Mindanao Command.

Hinugot si Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, ang commander ng 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division mula sa Northern Mindanao, para magsilbing Acting Commander ng AFP Eastern Mindanao Command.

Hinalinhan ni MGen. Cuerpo si Lieutenant General Greg T. Almerol dahil sumapit na ito sa kanyang mandatory retirement age kasunod ng ginanap na Retirement and Change of Command Ceremony sa Naval Station Felix Apolinario sa Camp Panacan, Davao City.

Pinangunahan ni Lieutenant General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Deputy Chief of Staff ng AFP, ang isinagawang change of command bilang kinatawan ni AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner.

Si Lt. Gen. Almerol, kasapi ng PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989, ay nagsilbing CEMC simula Marso ng taong 2021 at pinangunahan ang napakaraming anti-insurgency campaign.

Habang si Maj. Gen. Cuerpo II, na miyembro ng PMA “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, ay pinangunahan naman ang iba’t ibang military operation at anti-insurgency campaign ng Army 4th Infantry Division na nagpahina sa buong pwersa ng communist New People’s Army .

Responsible rin siya sa pagmamantina ng peace and development sa Northern Mindanao at Caraga region mula Marso 2023. Nagsilbi ring pinuno ng 103rd Brigade na siyang nanguna sa paglupig sa Islamic terrorist sa kasagsagan ng Marawi siege noong 2017.

Bilang Officer in Charge ng EMC, si MGen. Cuerpo ay siya ring tatayo bilang Army 4ID Commander.

“As the caretaker of the Eastern Mindanao Command, I am aware of the formidable challenges ahead, and I am committed to continue the legacy Lt. Gen. Almerol has built. I acknowledged the immense responsibility that comes with this position and I understand the significance of the work ahead of us. ”

“Nevertheless, I will do my best to lead our forces safely and effectively. And with this, I encouraged the troops to remain vigilant, disciplined and focused, keeping in mind the crucial mission before us. We will continue to fight relentlessly against all forms of terrorism, promote the rule of law, and respect the rights of all that we serve in the area without discrimination. Our commitment to the welfare of our fellow Filipinos will remain unwavering as we strive to provide a secure and unified Mindanao,” ani Cuerpo. (JESSE KABEL RUIZ)