Sun.Star Baguio

New 5ID commander vows to continue fight terrorism

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BRIGADIER General Perfecto Rimando Jr., who assumed post as the new commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division 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 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 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 the new chief urged the 5ID personnel to take the initiative and make themselves profession­ally compe-

tent in their respective duties so that they could best deliver the Army’s core purpose of serving the people and securing the land.

Somera 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

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