Marawi liberator leads Army’s 1st infantry division

From the Manila Bulletin (Jan 18, 2020): Marawi liberator leads Army’s 1st infantry division (By Bonita Ermac)

CAMP SANG-AN, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur – Brigadier General Generoso Ponio assumed his post as the new division commander of the First Infantry (Tabak) division of the Philippine Army in a change of command ceremony held at Tabak Division grandstand Friday, January 17.

“I now assume at a time when all great effort is focused and geared towards the marching order to be above all in our effort to end all threats to national security by 2022,” Ponio said.

Ponio acknowledged that the tasks at-hand would be “great, very hard and challenging” for Tabak division.

“But with all of us, working as a team, I see no reasons why we will fail,” he declared.

Ponio succeeded Major General Roberto T. Ancan who has been appointed commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, based in Cebu City.

Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Gilbert I. Gapay thanked Ancan for his inspirational leadership and stalwart service which made a lasting impact on the Tabak Division and the people it serves.

Gapay also challenged the new commander to build on the gains of the 1st Infantry Division for lasting peace and sustainable development.

“Let us be guided by our over-all direction, which is to sustain the momentum in capacitating the Army towards greater mission effectiveness”, he said.

Ponio was the former 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander who also took part in liberating Marawi city during the five-month siege in 2017.

He is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988. He is an Airborne Ranger and well-rounded military officer with expertise in operations, intelligence, training and managerial acumen.

He is a graduate of Command and General Staff Course in AFP Command and General Staff College, Senior Executive Course on National Security in Department of National Defense, National Defense College of the Philippines; and US Army Ranger Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, USA.

Prior to his post, Ponio was the Deputy Commander for Operations of the Western, Mindanao Command.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/18/marawi-liberator-leads-armys-1st-infantry-division/