Gapuz assumes as 6th ID chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): Gapuz assumes as 6th ID chief

Major General Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, the military's biggest Army unit in Central Mindanao, has relinquished his post to Brigadier General Romeo Gapuz in a turn over ceremonies here Thursday.

Ordoyo, who belongs to Class '80 of the Philippine Military Academy, will assume as division commander of the Southern Luzon Command.

Gapuz, former commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, graduated from the PMA in 1980. Ordoyo handed over the military division unit which he nurtured into an "Army Division of Peacekeepers."

Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, commanding general of the Philippine Army, led the symbolic change of command at the parade ground of the Camp Siongco, the 6th ID’s command center in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao.

Ordoyo was very grateful for the support extended him by the officers and men of the "Kampilan" division. He said the command has been very supportive of the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The 6th ID area of coverage are the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat where most of the MILF forces have been operating.

"I salute all of you," he told the 6th ID officers and enlisted men, adding that the soldiers have a very huge roles to play in the desire of the national leadership to attain peace in Mindanao.

Ordoyo also urged Gapuz to continue the 6th ID’s simple way of helping build confidence among soldiers and Moro rebels on the ground.

During President Aquino's historic visit to the MILF territories "to bring government closer to the Bangsamoro people," Ordoyo organized a fluvial peace caravan involving Moro bancas and motorboats to show support for the GPH-MILF peace process.

After the fluvial parade, Ordoyo and his men organized a friendly football match between the soldiers and Moro rebels which was witnessed by the President.

It was part of the 6th ID’s confidence-building measures with the rebel group, both the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and MILF.

For his part, Gapuz said he will continue the peace efforts of his predecessors, including those of former 6th ID commanders Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara who is now the deputy chief of staff and Major Gen. Rey Ardo, now Western Mindanao Command chief.

Gapuz also vowed to adhere to the Armed Forces’ principles of accountability and transparency in handling the fiscal and logistical resources of the 6th ID.

“I will continue the peace efforts of my predecessors and will toe Malacañang’s line in pushing the peace process forward,” Gapuz told soldiers and guests.

His priority is the continuation of the soldiers' religious observance of the GPH-MILF ceasefire agreement which, he learned, improve the peace and order situation of the 6th ID AOR.

To the 6th ID commanders and subordinates, Gapuz said his policy is simple. "Do good and you will be rewarded, do bad and you will be punished," he told soldiers.

Present during the turn over rites were local officials from Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=502492