The 9th Infantry "Spear" Division (9ID) welcomed Maj. Gen. Adonis R. Bajao as its new commander in a Change of Command Ceremony presided by Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., at Camp Elias Angeles, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur on January 8, 2023.
Maj. Gen. Bajao, prior to his new designation, served as the 35th Army Vice Commander. He held key positions throughout his career such as 9ID Assistant Division Commander; Commander of the 1002nd Infantry Brigade and Joint Task Force General Santos of the 10th Infantry Division; and 8th Infantry Division Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations (CMO). He likewise held key posts in the AFP Office of the Chief of Staff for Operations (OJ3, AFP).
Maj. Gen. Bajao belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Makatao” Class of 1989. He holds a Doctor of Public Administration degree from the University of the Philippines and a Master in Public Management Major in Development Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, outgoing acting 9ID commander Brig. Gen. Jaime A. Abawag will return to his post as 9ID Assistant Division Commander. A member of PMA "Bigkis-Lahi" Class of 1990, Brig. Gen. Abawag held leadership roles in the 902nd Infantry Brigade, 9ID; Presidential Security Group; and 16th Infantry Battalion.
Lt. Gen. Brawner, in his keynote speech, called on Spear troopers, now led by Maj. Gen. Bajao, to sustain their gains against the Communist Terrorist Group in the 9ID area of operations in the Bicol region and parts of Mindanao. “Together, when we act as one, we can better serve our country,” said Lt. Gen. Brawner during the ceremony.
Photos by Pfc Rodgen V. Quirante PA/ OACPA