402ND BRIGADE IN CARAGA INSTALLS NEW COMMANDER

The Army’s 402nd Infantry (Stingers) Brigade hosted the Change of Command Ceremony on Tuesday, July 20, at the headquarters in Barangay Bancasi, this city.

Major General Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. commander of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), Philippine Army presided over the turnover of leadership from the outgoing commander, Brigadier General Maurito L. Licudine to Colonel Adonis Ariel G. Orio as the new commander, Colonel Orio was installed as the 34th commander of the 402nd Brigade. He is a native of Cagayan de Oro City and a member of Philippine Military Academy “TanglawDiwa” Class of 1992.

The new commander is not new to Caraga Region and in Northern Mindanao since these areas were among his first assignments as a young 2Lt. way back in 1992. From then on, he held various positions in the 4ID units from Company Commander, Battalion Commander of 29th Infantry Battalion and staff at all levels from tactical to operational military echelons. In total, Col. Orio had spent 17 years in 4ID area.

In his assumption speech, Col. Orio said hoped that 402Bde can still obtain warm support of the LGUs and stakeholders in Northern Mindanao

and Caraga Region. “I count on your help in implementing E.O. No. 70 which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach towards the attainment of inclusive and sustainable peace through the National Task Force to Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict to the Regions,” he said.

“I am confident that I can chart more significant gains not for myself but for the Stingers’ Troopers and the people whom we serve in this area. After all, this Brigade’s commitment is geared towards peace and development,” Col. Orio added.

He further called on the active participation of all stakeholders and local chief executives (LCEs), and the entire populace of the province of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Misamis Oriental in the march towards the long and much-desired peace in the Brigade’s area of responsibility.

During the ceremony, BGen. Licudine was awarded with the Military Merit Medal interim to Distinguished Service Star Award for his meritorious and invaluable service rendered in a position of major responsibility as the commander of 402Bde which effectively addressed the peace and security operation in its area of responsibility that resulted to the dismantling of Guerilla Front 4A and Guerilla Front 88 all of North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

In his remarks, BGen. Licudine extended his immense gratitude to the LCEs and stakeholders that the brigade cannot stand alone and accomplish its mission and goals without their supports.

“The Brigade was able to shape its area of responsibility and progress in its campaign. We have improved the security situation providing our people a secured environment where they can freely go on with their way of life. This was made possible because we worked together. I am humbled and grateful for helping us achieve our mission objectives,” BGen. Licudine said.

Also, BGen. Licu dine conveyed a message to the newlyinstalled 402nd Brigade commander. “To my successor, a lot still needs to be done to realize our goal of ending the local communist armed conflict in this part of the country. We are at the endgame of our campaign and time is running out. We have to increase further our operational tempo and put an end to this 52-year old scourge,” BGen. Licudine said. (Cpt. Jonald Romorosa, CMO Officer, 402 Infantry Brigade,PA/PIA-Caraga) July 17-23, 2021 | 17