THE EASTERN Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) welcomed its 15th commander, Major General Adonis Ariel G. Orio, who vowed to intensify the campaign against the remaining New People’s Army (NPA) units across the region.
Orio laid out an aggressive strategy to achieve “total victory” against the insurgency, specifically targeting the nine remaining NPA vertical units, three regional party committees, and four sub-regional committees across 17 provinces from Regions 10 to 13.
“Our task now is to translate strategy into action… We will dominate the battlespace… through precision, intelligence, and partnership with the local stakeholders,” Orio stated during the change of command ceremony at Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, on Saturday, Nov. 15.
He emphasized that all operations would be “intelligence-driven, disciplined, and swift.”
Orio, a proud member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992, previously served as commander of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) and the 402nd Infantry Brigade.
He succeeded Lieutenant General Luis Rex D. Bergante, who thanked the troops for their support during a “pivotal period.”
“I witnessed victory in the name of peace,” Bergante said, reflecting on his nearly four decades of service. “I saw communities grow and develop after peace was won. It has been life-changing not just for me but for all those I have been privileged to serve.”
The ceremony was spearheaded by the chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP), General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., who highlighted EastMinCom’s vital role as the “protector of its people and of our country.”
“This command is defined by the character and commitment of those who lead it,” Brawner remarked, underscoring the necessity of strong, capable leadership in neutralizing security threats across Eastern Mindanao.
The new commander shared his guiding principles for the men and women of EastMinCom, using the acronym S.T.O.R.M:
S – Seek self-mastery through discipline
T – Take aim at true priorities
O – Operate with clarity and focus
R – Respect the timeline
M – Magnify your faith in God
“Let S.T.O.R.M be our compass. Train hard, protect the people, and serve with excellence, courage, and compassion,” Orio concluded.
