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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 'Poker' brings big brain plays vs insurgency, terrorism in Army's 4ID

'Poker' brings big brain plays vs insurgency, terrorism in Army's 4ID

Published Mar 25, 2023 06:14 am
Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, fondly called by his family and friends as “Poker” in what appears to be a play on his surname, was formally installed as the 52nd commander of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID) on Friday, March 24. Cuerpo replaced Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag who retired from the service in a ceremony presided by PA Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. at the 4ID headquarters, Camp Evangelista in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. Brawner, who earlier expressed confidence on the "complete and imminent" dismantling of communist groups, directed Cuerpo to “sustain the Army’s vital gains against the communist terrorist group.” “As you now render your official duties as the commander of the Diamond troopers, I am expecting that you will pursue the foundations laid by your predecessors and advance the Division’s hallmark of fostering the standard of excellence,” Brawner said. Cuerpo is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis Lahi” Class of 1990. He served as the deputy chief of staff for personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) prior to this designation. He also handled major posts in the Army such as brigade commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division; AFP secretary joint staff; and commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), 4ID where he led counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in northern and southern Mindanao. He is considered as a “true-blooded” Diamond trooper as he spent the early days of his career serving as the platoon leader, company commander, and intelligence and operations officer of the 58th IB, 4ID. He became the assistant chief of staff for operations of 4ID in 2010 until he became the commanding officer of 8IB from 2011 to 2013. Cuerpo holds a Master’s degree in Management from the Asian Institute of Management. Meanwhile, Mamawag, who turned 56 years old on his retirement day, served for 38 years in the military. The last year of his career was spent as the commander of the 4ID. Mamawag is a product of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989. He has a Master’s degree in Public Management from the Development Academy of the Philippines. He held various leadership roles in the Army such as brigade commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, 6th Infantry Division; PA Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence; and commanding officer of the 4th Infantry Battalion under the 2nd Infantry Division. Mamawag was incorporated in the AFP Reserve Force following his retirement.
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