TACLOBAN CITY-Brigadier General Wilbur Mamawag was named as the acting commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division, following the retirement of Major Gen. Pio Diñoso III.
Lieutenant General Andres Centino, commanding general of the Philippine Army, formally installed Mamawag during a simple change of command and retirement ceremony Saturday (October 9) at Camp Vicente Lukban in Catbalogan City.
“(The) Philippine Army will provide all necessary equipment and resources for your Division to triumph over the enemy and sustain your unit’s milestones for the months ahead,” Centino said in his speech.
General Jose Faustino Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, also joined the ceremony via video teleconference.
Mamawag, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Makatao” Class of 1989, previously served as commander of 603rd Infantry Brigade and assistant division commander of 8ID.
Diñoso, a member of PMA “Maringal” Class of 1988, assumed the post as the commanding officer of the 8th ID on July,2019.
It was during the term of Diñoso that the government soldiers scored its biggest victory against the members of the New People’s Army (NPA).
Last August 16, 19 NPA rebels were killed in an air and ground assault conducted by the government soldiers against the rebels in Dolores, Eastern Samar.
No soldier was killed in the said operation.
(RONALD O. REYES)
