A new commander of the Philippine Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade (501Bde) under the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) assumed the post in a turnover of command ceremony presided by 5ID Commander Maj. Gen. Audrey L. Pasia at Sitio Burubur, Brgy. Magapit, Lal-lo, Cagayan on February 22, 2023.
Col. Ferdinand Melchor C. Dela Cruz took over the leadership of the 501Bde from Army Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Steve D. Crespillo who served as the commander since October 7, 2020. Prior to his designation, Col. Dela Cruz served as the Chief of Staff and Inspector General of 5ID; Group Commander of the Military Intelligence Group (MIG15); Deputy Group Commander of the Intelligence Security Group (ISG); and Commanding Officer of the 5th Military Intelligence Battalion. Col Dela Cruz belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Tanglaw- Diwa” Class of 1992 and holds a Master in Business Administration from Ateneo De Manila University; Master in Public Management from Virgen delos Remedios College; and Master in National Security Administration from National Defense College of the Philippines.
Moreover, Brig. Gen. Crespillo currently serves as the Army Vice Commander. He served as Chief of the Unified Command Staff of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command; Chief of Staff and Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID); and acting commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, 6ID. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990 and holds a Master In Development Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management and a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management from the College of Saint Benilde.
The presiding officer Maj. Gen. Pasia congratulates outgoing 501Bde Commander Brig. Gen. Crespillo for serving well and sustaining peace and development in 501Bde’s area of operations. Likewise, Maj. Gen. Pasia also conveyed his good wishes to both commanders on their respective new assignments.
Photos by Pvt Divino S Lozano PA/ OACPA