CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The 4th Infantry Division has installed the new Commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur and new commanding officer of the 75th Infantry Battalion based in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur in a seperate Change of Command and Assumption Ceremonies on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, presided over by Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, the 4ID Commander.
Col. Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., who served as the 401st Deputy Brigade Commander for four (4) years, has officially assumed command as the new Brigade Commander. He replaced Brig. Gen. Rommel B. Almaria, who was appointed as the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Command Center since February 2023.
“I understand, the job ahead demands no less than the best of me to ensure the continuity of our campaign, fulfill my mandate and contribute to our goal of ending the local communist armed conflict. With it, I will devote all the capabilities and resources of this brigade to accomplish its mission and make it a better unit each day in terms of personnel competence, facility conduciveness, and equipment readiness. I will also ensure that the 1,144 soldiers and 1,400 CAFGUs composing the ‘Unite and Fight’ team are taken care of and dedicated to work hard all year round to serve and secure our countrymen in this part of our land,” Col. Lorenzo Jr. said in his assumption message.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Jan B. Molero took the helm as the new Commanding Officer of the 75th Infantry Battalion replacing Lt. Col. Jelson D. Buyuccan. In his assumption speech, Lt. Col. Molero encouraged the troops as well as the stakeholders to continue working together for the greater good of the 75IB’s area of responsibility.
“To our stakeholders, let us continue to be partners in ensuring that our communities will remain dedicated in our collective efforts to put an end to this insurgency problem. So that we can achieve sustainable peace and development for all. And to the personnel of 75IB, let us work together to continue the tradition of excellence of the unit. Hence, I humbly ask each and every one of you to pledge with me, our unflinching commitment to the unit, one for all, all for one,” he added.
Moreover, Maj. Gen. Cuerpo II put his confidence to the new commanders that they will overcome challenges ahead of them and lead their troops well. He also invigorated them to sustain the culture of professionalism and excellence in the division’s continuous quest to attain lasting peace and security in Northern Mindanao and Caraga.
Said Change of Command and Assumption Ceremonies were attended by other Brigade and Battalion Commanders, Local Chief Executives, other stakeholders, families and friends of the new and former Commanders.
