THE Philippine Army has installed a Scout Ranger officer as the new commander of its 11th Infantry Division (ID) based on Jolo, Sulu.
Installed as the new 11ID commander is Brigadier General William Gonzales, who replaced Major General Corleto Vinluan.
The change of command ceremony was held Tuesday, August 18, at Camp Don Basilio Navarro with Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana as the presiding officer.
Camp Don Basilio Navarro houses the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) headquarters in Zamboanga City.
Gonzales served as commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment prior to his assumption as the 11ID commander.
At the same time, Gonzales will also serve as the Joint Task Force Sulu commander.
He also served as assistant chief-of-staff for Education and Training (G8) of the Philippine Army and as Commandant of the Officer Candidate School, Training and Doctrine Command.
A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Makatao" Class of 1989, Gonzales holds a Masters in Management in Public Administration.
Meanwhile, the 11ID under Vinluan's stewardship has neutralized 169 Abu Sayyaf Group personalities, including foreign terrorists, recovered 212 firearms, and prevented the detonation of a suicide bomber last 2019.
Vinluan belongs to the PMA "Maringal" Class of 1988.
Sobejana has called on the officers and men of the 11ID to continue the enthusiasm in accomplishing their mission together with their new commander.
"Sa ating pagtugon na tapusin ang terorismo sa lalong madaling panahon, mas paigtingin pa ninyo ang kakayahang hanapin, ipitin, at ubusin ang kalaban, at ipagpatuloy ang panalo habang pinatutupad natin ang mabuting pamamahala ng ating hanay," Sobejana said. (SunStar Zamboanga)