CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division welcomed its new Commander in a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony held yesterday, February 3, at the Headquarters of 4ID, Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City presided by Lieutenant General Romeo S Brawner Jr, the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA).
Brigadier General Wilbur C Mamawag who hails from Pasay City is a proud member of Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989 and assumed as the 49th Commander of 4ID taking the helm from Brigadier General Oliver T Vesliño, who bowed out from the military service.
Prior to his present designation, BGen Mamawag was the Assistant Division Commander and Acting Division Commander of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Samar. He also served as the Commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.
Being assigned in 4ID is not new to BGen Mamawag since he started his early years in the military service as a Diamond trooper. Upon graduation from the academy, he served as Tactical Officer of the Division Training Unit (DTU) – now Division Training School (DTS) – of 4ID in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. He was also a Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Battalion Staff of the 58th Infantry Battalion and became the Commanding Officer of the 98th Military Intelligence Company (MICO), still under 4ID.
In his assumption speech, BGen Mamawag vowed to continue his predecessors’ endeavor to fight and finally put an end to the local communist armed conflict in 4ID’s area of responsibility, adhering to CGPA’s guidance encapsulated under the acronym SERVE (Soldier, Equipment, Resources, Victory, Election).
“I will abide by the principles of “Servant Leadership” to serve others while staying focus on achieving results in line with the values of the organization. To the men and women of the Diamond Division, we are on the same boat. I will make sure to continue and nurture the culture of professionalism, excellence, the dedication and the brotherhood of the 4ID family. We will march forward together. As always taught to us by our mentors, mission accomplishment first, morale of troops always,” he said.
Meanwhile, BGen Vesliño extended his deepest gratitude to all Diamond troopers, partners and stakeholders for the support and trust which are instrumental to the significant milestones he achieved during his tenure as the 4ID Assistant Division Commander and Acting Commander. He also appealed to every soldier to continue the vision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect the peace and be a role models to every Filipino.
On the other hand, Lt Gen Brawner Jr lauded the hard work of BGen Vesliño who led the 4ID’s “No Let Up” campaign resulting in several accomplishments on combat and non-combat operations, especially in transforming the Diamond division thru its modern and world class facilities. At the same time, he also congratulated BGen Mamawag for achieving another momentous chapter in his military career and is optimistic that 4ID will continue to soar high with its mission to finally defeat the enemies of the state under BGen Mamawag’s leadership.
