Photos by Richel V. Umel, Inquirer Mindanao
KUTA SANG-AN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—New leaders were installed in the Army’s 1st Infantry Division (1ID) based in this town after its commander retired.
Lieutenant-General Romeo Brawner Jr., Army Commanding General, presided over the change of command rites on Friday as Major General Generoso Ponio bowed out of the service.
Ponio of the Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988 capped 38 years of service as 1ID commander after serving in the campaign in 2017 against Islamic State members in Marawi.
Ponio also served as acting commander of the Western Mindanao Command in 2021 after Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan retired.
Taking on Ponio’s post is Brigadier General Jose Randolf Sino Cruz as an acting division commander.
lzb