FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) made his first visit to the 5th Infantry “Star” Division at Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on September 04, 2020.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana was welcomed by Brig. Gen. Laurence Mina, Commander of 5ID, and presented the accomplishments of the division in neutralizing terrorists within their area of responsibility.
The 5ID is currently accommodating former rebels from the Salaknib Former Rebels Integrated Farmers' Association which integrates farming activities through the 95th Infantry Battalion and the 502nd Infantry Brigade in partnership with TESDA, the Local Government Unit and the Department of Agriculture of Isabela.
The CGPA commended the command's operational readiness in maintaining the peace and security situation in Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region. He then mentioned the importance of understanding the dynamics of peace and conflict in the area of responsibility and reminded the troops that killing is not always necessary in winning the war.
“To ultimately solve our problem, it is more on providing what is needed by each and every one of us especially the less fortunate. We should be able to change the mindset of the people whom we serve by letting them understand that we are not killers, we do not kill for no reason at all, we kill for a purpose. In fact, we go to battle because we want to win the peace, and that is the most important thing,” Sobejana said.