Army’s 4th Infantry Division has new commander

Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. hands to Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II the commander’s saber during a change of command ceremony of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division on Thursday. Photo by Richel V. Umel, Inquirer Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–A major regional Army unit in Mindanao has a new commander following the retirement of its erstwhile head.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. presided over the change of command ceremony of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) in Camp Edilberto Evangelista here on Thursday morning.

Taking over the reins of the division is Major General Jose Maria Cuerpo II, a veteran of the government’s campaign against Islamic State-linked terrorists in Lanao del Sur province.

He took the helm from Major General Wilbur Mamawag who retired after over 30 years of military service, his last 13 months spent as commander of 4ID, overseeing continued campaign mainly against the remaining strongholds of the communist New People’s Army rebels in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

Brawner lauded the gains of Mamawag’s leadership of the division which has been leading in developing combat and noncombat initiatives to defeat the NPA, especially in denying them political space in their former guerrilla communities.

Brawner also cited the experience and managerial acumen of Cuerpo in maintaining the high intensity fight against the communist rebels.

Cuerpo first entered the 4ID as second lieutenant, fresh from graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in 1990.

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