Reminded soldiers to follow Pres.Duterte orders, anti-drug war
CATBALOGAN CITY- The 8th Infantry Division, the mother unit of the Philippine Army in the region, has a new commanding officer in Brig. Gen. Raul Farnacio who was once a brigade commander in the region.
Farnacio replaces Maj. Gen. Jet Velarmino, who retired from the military service after serving the military for 34 years and served as the commanding officer of the 8th ID for three years.
He served the 8th ID from September 2013 until his retirement on his birthday October 6.
Farnacio, prior to his new assignment, was the former chief of the Army Internal Auditor.
Lt. Gen. Eduardo Año, commanding general of the Philippine Army, presided the change of command held at the grounds of the 8th ID headquarters on Thursday (Oct.6).
Prior to this assignment, Farnacio also commanded the 901st Brigade of the 9th ID based in Bicol Region and he also served the 8ID as executive officer of the 43rd Infantry Battalion and the 801st Brigade, and later as commanding officer of the 20th Infantry Battalion and 43rd Infantry Battalion.
He was also the assistant chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2, 7th Infantry Division; and Chief of the Unified Command Staff of the central command.
Just like predecessor, Farnacio is also not new to disasters.
When he was the commanding officer of the 43rd Infantry Brigade based then in Sogod, Southern Leyte when the massive landslide hit Barangay Guinsaugon in Saint Bernard.
During his message Farnacio emphasized the need for the members of the military in the region to have more ascendancy and support the programs of their commander-in-chief.
“If we expect to achieve in our mission to bring peace and progress we need to make ourselves worthy implementers, therefore I enjoined the brigade, battalion and even company commanders to be on the forefront of moral ascendancy in your respective units,” Farnacio said.
The new 8th ID commander also calls for government troops in the region to support the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte in extending peace to the communist group as well as the problem brought about by criminality, illegal drugs and terrorism.
“Let us support law enforcement agency in their efforts to combat criminality and illegal drug trade since this problem is deeply rooted in the region,” he added.
He then reminded the soldiers not to use illegal drugs or even engage in drug related activities.
Among the guests during the turnover ceremony were Northern Samar Governor Jun Ong, former DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento who heads the Philippine Army Multi-Sectoral Advisory Board, Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzalez and Police Regional Director Elmer Beltejar, among others.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
