BAGUIO CITY, Philippines- Brigadier General (BGen) Perfecto Rimando Jr., who assumed post as the new commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division (5ID) covering Region 2 and the Cordillera, has vowed to continue the national government’s campaign against terrorist groups.
Rimando, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1986, formally accepted his new post in Monday morning’s turnover of command at the 5ID headquarters at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Upi, Gamu, Isabela. The ceremony was presided by Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista.
Rimando replaced Maj. Gen. Paul Atal who has assumed leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Central Command in the Visayas Region.
Captain Jeffrey Somera, 5ID chief of the public affairs office, relayed to the PNA in a telephone interview that Rimando vowed to continue the programs and projects of the command in consonance with the AFP development support and security plan dubbed as “Kapayapaan”, particularly the campaign against terrorist groups.
He also said that the new chief urged the 5ID personnel to take the initiative and make themselves professionally competent in their respective duties so that they could best deliver the Army’s core purpose of serving the people and securing the land.
He also relayed Rimando’s call for the people of Region 2 and the Cordillera to continue to actively support the government efforts towards peace and development.
The 5ID has operational jurisdiction over the six Cordillera provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province; and the Region 2 provinces of Cagayan and Isabela, as well as parts of Nueva Vizcaya.
Somera said local chief executives, regional heads of national government agencies, civil society group leaders, Philippine National Police officials and personnel and other stakeholders in Cordillera and Region 2 attended Monday’s change of command ceremony. PNA
