Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal—A former military spokesman and commander of the Army unit that has operational jurisdiction over Calabarzon has been designated as Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, which covers Regions 4A and 4B.
BGen Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr. replaced BGen Elias H. Escarcha during a ceremony presided by Lt Gen Macairog S. Alberto, the Commanding General Philippine Army, on Friday.
Burgos is a member of PMA “Maringal” Class of 1988 and the 39h Commander of the 2nd Infantry (Jungle Fighter) Division.
During his assumption speech, Burgos expressed his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte “for his unwavering trust and confidence in entrusting upon my shoulders the security of the areas in the immediate south of our duly constituted government’s seat of power.”
“The men and women of the 2nd Division will be active members, partners and participants in Regions 4A and 4B’s Task Forces to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, in line with the Presidential Directive of adopting a ‘whole of nation’ approach to defeat the communist insurgency and pave the way for peace, prosperity, and development across the country,” he added.
Burgos asked the people of Calabarzon and Mimaropa to support their soldiers and by assuring them that the men and women of the Jungle Fighter Division “are willing and ready to serve and defend our constituents wherever, whenever, whoever or whatever the threat may be.”
Escarcha expressed his gratitude to his soldiers and subordinate commanders for the support they have extended to him during his incumbency.
“The close coordination and collaboration between and among the security forces and the civilian sector has made the difference in this part of the country,” he added.
He ended his speech by urging his troops “to extend to your new commander the same degree of support that you have extended upon me.”
Alberto congratulated Burgos for the well-deserved designation and urged him “to continue the Army’s operational momentum in this critical part of our land.”
The Army leader commended BGen Burgos for the “excellent job that he did as Brigade Commander, this, I expect nothing but excellence from him now that he is already a Division Commander.”
RTF ELCAC 4A is the first to be organized in the country with 2ID as the pioneering Army unit to implement the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program in Luzon and Visayas since August 2018.
