The Philippine Army installed Maj. Gen. Edgardo de Leon as the new Commander of the 8th Infantry “Stormtrooper” Division (8ID) in a Change of Command Ceremony at 8ID Headquarters in Catbalogan, Samar, on December 6, 2021.
The Commanding General Philippine Army and concurrent Chief of Staff of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Andres C. Centino presided over the ceremony as outgoing Acting Commander Brig. Gen. Wilbur C. Mamawag relinquished his post to Maj. Gen. de Leon.
Maj. Gen. de Leon, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988, served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Armed Forces of the Philippines before his new position. He also held various leadership positions, such as the Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Division, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 10th Infantry Division, and Commanding Officer of the 73rd Infantry Battalion.
In his assumption speech, Maj. Gen. de Leon assured the people of Western Visayas that 8ID under his leadership would pursue the remaining CPP-NPA Terrorists (CNTs) so the people could live in peace in their communities.
Brig. Gen. Mamawag, on the other hand, is a member of PMA “Makatao” Class 1989. He has been instrumental in the division’s fight against insurgency within its areas of responsibility. He held leadership positions in different units like the 603rd Infantry Brigade, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the 2nd and 4th Infantry Division, to name a few.
During the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Centino congratulated the outgoing and incoming Commanders and commended them for their valuable service to the Command.
“To the members of the Stormtroopers Division, you now have a commander so determined and well-trained. I will be losing a competent staff at the General Headquarters, but we will gain a competent, determined, and capable Commander of the 8th Infantry Division,” Lt. Gen. Centino said.
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