BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – The
Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division, one of the country’s biggest Army
divisions covering northeast Luzon, has a new chief in Maj. Gen. Benito Antonio
de Leon. De Leon formally assumed the post April 4 in simple turnover rites
presided over by Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri at the 5th ID
headquarters at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.
A member of
Philippine Military Academy Class 1981, De Leon, who belongs to the Ibanag
tribe of Cagayan, replaced Brig. Gen. Ricardo Jalad, who assumed one of the
most coveted military posts in an acting capacity from Maj. Gen. Joel Ibañez
last month.
Before his
appointment, De Leon served as chief of the Armed Forces’ Training and Doctrine
Command based at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Also
dubbed as Star Division, the 5th ID covers Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras,
where New People’s Army rebels are still active in several areas, especially in
mountain communities.
De Leon
vowed to continue the division’s operations “to maintain its momentum toward a
peaceful, progressive and prosperous northern Luzon.”
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