By Jessica M. Bacud
CAMP MELCHOR F. DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela – The Philippine Army installed a new commander for the 5th Infantry Division in Brig. Gen. Audrey Pasia following turnover rites and the retirement of Maj. Gen. Lawrence E. Mina at the Tala Hall here on September 5.
The Change of Command Ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Camilo Z. Ligayu, Assistant Commanding General, representing Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Philippine Army Commander.
In his assumption address, Pasia vowed to continue what Mina had started in ending the local armed communist conflict besetting the locale for more than five decades. Prior to his new post, he was designated as the Assistant Division Commander of 5ID.
“In my acting capacity, I will give everyone around the assurance that we will continue to pursue these remaining Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) remnants in the quest for peace and development thrust of the government,” he said.
“Let us give our best, do our share to end this local communist insurgency. It is the Filipinos killing fellow Filipinos while our external threats are laughing on us,” Pasia added.
He urged the remaining Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) members to return to the fold of the law.
Pasia underscores the importance of coordination and partnership with several sectors and stakeholders of the society in addressing this long-time problem of insurgency not only in the Cagayan Valley Region and Cordillera but also in the countryside.
He said the Army would intensify its focus and effort that will lead to the demolition of armed terrorists in their area of jurisdiction, which will pave the way for the establishment of a peaceful setting conducive to development.
Pasia is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis Lahi” Class of 1990. He was assigned as the Platoon Leader of the 2nd Infantry Division and led the 10th Intelligence and Security Unit in Northern Mindanao, the 9th Military Intelligence Battalion in Bicol Region, and Infantry Battalion in Albay.
He was the Commanding General of the 702nd Infantry (Defender) Brigade in Region 1, Abra, and in the Municipality of Besao and Tadian, Mountain Province.
Known as the Star Troopers, the 5ID has been on the frontline of curbing CPP-NPA terrorists in Northern Luzon. The division enabled the withdrawal of support of hundreds of former communist sympathizers, recovery of firearms, and the re-orientation of former CTG-supportive organizations.
The division liberated areas from the stimulus of communist terrorists, dismantled guerrilla fronts, and neutralized personalities, some of which were high-value individuals.
The active participation of the Star Troopers in the whole-of-nation approach in conducting military operations and effective coordination with other law enforcement agencies resulted in noteworthy gains against the terrorist groups, as expressed in a video played during the turnover.
