NAGTALAGA ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) 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 naman ni MGen Cuerpo si Lieutenant General Greg Almerol dahil sumapit na ito sa kanyang ‘mandatory retirement age’ kasunod ng ginanap na Retirement and Change of Command Ceremony na ginanap sa Naval Station Felix Apolinario sa Camp Panacan, Davao City.
Pinangunahan ni Lieutenant General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Deputy Chief of Staff AFP, ang isinagawang change of command bilang kinatawan ni AFP Chief of Staff Gen Romeo Brawner.
Si Lt. Gen. Almerol na kasapi ng PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989, ay nagsilbing CEMC simula Marso ng taong 2021 at pinangunahan nito ang napakaraming anti-insurgency campaign, habang si Maj. Gen. Cuerpo II, na member ng PMA “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, ay pinangunahan naman ang iba’t- ibang military operation ng mga anti-insurgency campaign ng Army 4th Infantry Division, na nagpahina umano sa buong pwersa ng communist New People’s Army .
Responsable din umano siya sa pagmamantina ng peace and development sa Northern Mindanao at Caraga region mula March 2023 at nagsilbi ding pinuno ng 103rd Brigade na siyang nanguna sa paglupig sa Islamic terrorist sa kasagsagan ng Marawi siege nuong 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. ” aniya,
“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,” saad pa ni Cuerpo.
