A SENIOR Army officer had been designated as the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID), which is leading military operations against militant groups in Central Mindanao.
Brig. Gen. Donald Gumiran assumed the position last Saturday during rites presided over by Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido at the 6th ID headquarters in Camp Siongco, Maguindanao.
Gumiran succeeded Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, who took over as commander of the Zamboanga City-based AFP Western Mindanao Command last November.
Before his assumption as 6th ID commander, Gumiran was the commander of the 602nd Brigade based in Cotabato.
He also held other key positions in the past, including commander of the 7th Infantry Battalion, commander of the 38th Infantry Battalion, and head of the 6th Division Training School.
Gumiran is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1992 and holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
As the 6th ID commander, Gumiran will lead military operations against various threat groups in Central Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and the Daulah Islamiyah.
“As I assume command, I commit to leading by example and working closely with all of you to fulfill our mission,” said Gumiran, referring to personnel of the 6th ID.
“I humbly ask for your support, trust, and cooperation as we embark on this journey together. Let us always remember that our ultimate duty is to serve the Filipino people and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” he added.
Galido urged Gumiran to continue efforts aimed at sustaining peace and development in Central Mindanao.
“We have to be solid in our quest for peace in this region. Peace cannot fail in this area,” Galido said. “All ingredients for peace are already present.”