4ID fetes Cuerpo, welcomes Yecla

The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army held a retirement and change of command ceremony on Friday for outgoing Division Commander, Maj. Gen. Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II.

Cuerpo relinquished his post upon reaching the mandatory retirement age, with Brig. Gen. Consolito Yecla taking over the vacated office in an acting commander capacity.

The ceremony was presided over by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, at the 4ID Grandstand, Camp Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.

In his message, Lt. Gen. Galido reminded military officials and personnel to always respect the democratic process.

“Thus, my colleagues, we have a very important role this year. A role in an event that other stakeholders are also preparing for, and for us — let us make sure that a proper security environment is in place,” Galido stressed, referring to the mid-term elections in May.

He also urged the Army to abide by the principles of Bagong Pilipinas with a mindset that prioritizes the greater good over personal interests.

Yecla, the concurrent Assistant Division Commander of 4ID before assuming his new post, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1992.

He graduated as the top student in both the Advance Infantry Officer Course and the AFP Command and General Staff Course.