By Rhoda Grace Saron/PNA
DAVAO CITY — The chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) is leaving the Davao region to take up the helm of the Philippine Army’s Central Command based in Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City on Thursday.
Major Gen. Noel Clement assumed his current post as 10ID commander on May 31, 2017. Brig. Gen. Mario Lacurom, 10ID assistant division commander, will take over the command until Clement’s replacement is named.
As he leaves the 10ID, Clement cited the significant accomplishments under his watch, among them the “degrading of the New People’s Army’s (NPA) capability and support structure.”
“All can be attributed to the excellent working relationship between 10ID units, local government units, stakeholders and people in the area of responsibility,” he said.
During Clement’s leadership, the 10ID said it managed to reduce the number of NPA guerilla fronts from 11 to four.
Military sources said the contenders for the next 10ID division commander will most likely come from the top brass of the 4ID and 1ID under the Eastern Mindanao Command, as well as other military officials previously assigned in the Davao region.
For Clement, the strong contenders include Brig. Gen. Reuben Basiao, former commander of the Army’s 701st Brigade based in Davao Oriental; Brig. Gen. Roberto Ancan, commander of the 1002nd Brigade based in Sarangani province; Brig. Gen. Nemesio Gacal, commander of the 402nd Brigade based in Butuan City; and Brig. Gen. Andres Centino, commander of the 401st Brigade based in Agusan del Sur.
Sources said Maj. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin Jr., commander of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service based in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, is also a contender for the 10ID post.
Datuin was also commander of the 701st Brigade from 2015 to 2016.
