By Liza Agoot/PNA
BAGUIO CITY — Brig. Gen. Alden Juan Masagca has taken over the command of the 5th Infantry (Star) Division (5ID) of the Philippine Army which has jurisdiction over Cordillera and the Cagayan Valley regions.
Masagca took over the position from Maj. Gen. Perfecto Rimando Jr. who retired from active service on March 2.
Maj. Jefferson Somera, Division Public Affairs Office chief, in a telephone interview Sunday, said Rimando turned over the command of the over 5,000 army soldiers to Masagca in a ceremony on March 2.
“He vowed to continue the programs and projects of the Command in consonance with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ development support and security plan ‘Kapayapaan’,” Somera said, quoting Masagca.
“He also asked the personnel of the command to take the initiative and make themselves professionally competent in their respective duties so that they could best deliver the Army’s core purpose of serving the people and securing the land,” Somera added.
Having jurisdiction over Cordillera and Cagayan Valley, he asked for continued partnership with stakeholders in securing peace, supporting development and promoting prosperity in the area of operation.
Rimando had consistently sought the help of different sectors in the two regions which had contributed in the accomplishment of the command’s mission for several years.
Masagca is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.
He held various positions in his 33 years of service such as platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander, brigade commander, and recently as assistant division commander.
He is also a recipient of numerous commendations and military awards such as five Gold Cross Medals, Bronze Cross Medal and Military Merit Medal to name a few.
