THE Philippine Army's 4th Infantry Division on Tuesday, February 05, installed a new commander to head the military force in Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions.
The new commander, Brigadier General Franco Nemesio Gacal, officially assumed office in a change of command ceremony held Tuesday at Camp Evangelista, Barangay Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
Gacal, a native of General Santos City, is the former 402nd Brigade commander in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.
He replaced Major General Ronald Villanueva, who took his post as the 4ID commander in August 2017. Late last year, Villanueva also serve as commander Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) in an acting capacity.
Villanueva has sought for an early retirement.
Under Villanueva's leadership, about 468 New People's Army (NPA) surrendered and another 570 militia ng bayan and 3,150 NPA supporters also surrendered.
Gacal, as brigade commander caused the surrender of about 139 NPA rebels, 142 militia ng bayan, and another 1,256 NPA supporters in his area of responsibility.
He vowed to sustain the gains of the previous leadership and reduce the number of NPA rebels by stopping the cycle of recruitment.
“We will embark on a peaceful war, a non-kinetic war to defeat the enemy. We need reconciliation, we need peace-building,” he said.
“Maganda lahat ng aspirations ng Region 10 and 13, economic and social progress so kailangan ng collaboration with our government agencies,” he added.
Gacal also warned that the military will use its power against those who challenge the government and his leadership.