FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – In a Change of Command Ceremony, the Philippine Army Commanding General turned over the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division leadership to its new commander on Saturday, January 25, at Camp General Manuel T. Yan Sr. Mawab, Davao de Oro.
Lt. Gen. Gilbert I Gapay led the handing of the command symbol from outgoing Maj. Gen. Jose C. Faustino to incoming Maj. Gen. Reuben S. Basiao.
Prior to his assumption, Basiao served as the Battalion Commander of 67th Infantry Battalion and 72nd Infantry Battalion as well as the Brigade Commander of the 701st Brigade of the 10ID. “We will continue to adopt innovative approaches, and evolve to overcome whatever challenges posed before this division. [We] will collectively strive for excellence as we carry out the unit’s mission with vigor and passion,” said Basiao in his speech.
On the other hand, Faustino will serve as the new Eastern Mindanao Commander. Under his commandership, the Agila division were able to clear five guerilla fronts, five Pulangbagani command, and 90 CPP-NPA-Terrorist affected barangays. The 10ID also recovered 532 enemy firearms and neutralized several high-profile enemy personalities. Moreover, 584 former NPA rebels returned to the folds of the government while schools and communities that breeds future NPA terrorists were dismantled through the creation of local peace engagement framework with 10ID stakeholders.
“We count on the Agila division to accomplish its part in our President’s directive of ending the communist insurgency permanently by 2022,” said Gapay as he also reiterates to achieve Army’s major thrusts. “Adhere always to the highest levels of professionalism and excellence. [The] Philippine Army will support all through out as it fulfills its mandate of continuously capacitating Army forces towards greater mission effectiveness” he added.#