CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City – The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, His Excellency President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., lauded the achievements of Diamond troopers during his visit to the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division Headquarters in Camp Evangelista on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Addressing troops at Montalvan Hall, PBBM acknowledged the outstanding accomplishments of the 4ID in neutralizing key leaders and members of the communist terrorist group (CTG) in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga region, significantly enhancing safety and peace in these areas. He expressed gratitude to the men and women of the Diamond Division for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices, which have been pivotal in achieving mission success.
“You deserve the title of the “Fightingest” Division because of the progress that you have been making and for performing your mission very well. I am very happy to be here. Because of your operations, we have been able to minimize the impact of terrorist activities which demonstrates the decline of numbers of their personnel and firearms,” he said.
Among the notable achievements of 4ID this year are the neutralization of 15 CPP NPA Terrorists (CNTs), with 11 killed in encounters, one captured, and three apprehended. Additionally, 81 CNTs surrendered, and 104 firearms were seized. This includes the recent surrender of a regional high-ranking CTG leader and 43 members in Bukidnon, along with 41 high-powered firearms.
During the visit, Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II, Commander of 4ID, conducted a traditional military arrival honors ceremony as a gesture of respect and courtesy to the Commander-in-Chief.
Furthermore, during the situation briefing, the 4ID leadership presented ongoing efforts in combating security threats within its area of responsibility. PBBM assured continued government support, pledging necessary resources while expressing confidence in the troops’ ability to fulfill their duties with honor and excellence.
PBBM’s visit aimed to uplift troop morale, review the Division’s campaign progress, and assess the operational readiness of its forces. He also sought to personally convey appreciation to Diamond troopers for their dedication to service, which has significantly contributed to the government’s efforts to end local communist.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, ang buong bansa ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong sakripisyo. To the Joint Task Force Diamond, my heartfelt gratitude for your service and I congratulate you for the successes that you have met because of your very good performance. You have given so much to the motherland. I assure you that this administration will always continue to support the welfare not only of the personnel but also of their families,” PBBM added.
Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Cuerpo II presented the President with a Manifesto of Commitment, showcasing the logos of different units under 4ID, symbolizing their commitment to the administration’s goals and programs aimed at achieving Bagong Pilipinas. This gesture also served as a token of appreciation for the Commander-in-Chief’s leadership and dedicated service to the nation and its people.
The event concluded with a traditional military boodle fight, fostering camaraderie between PBBM and all Diamond troopers.
