ZAMBOANGA CITY- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally installed Maj General Jose Vladimir R. Cagara as Acting Commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) during the Change of Command ceremonies presided by AFP Chief of Staff General Antonio G. Nafarrete on Monday, August 17.
Cagara replaces Lt. Gen Donald Gumiran who was recently named as the 68th Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
Cagara thanked the AFP for entrusting in him the responsibility of leading one of the country's most strategically important unified commands. He also vowed to continue ongoing efforts during the term of Gumiran to preserve peace, stability and security across the Western MIndanao region.
Gumiran, for his part, described the turnover not merely as a change of leadership but as a continuation of the AFP's mission to protect the people and preserve peace in Western Mindanao.
Among his achievements were the neutralization of high value terrorist leaders, the conduct of interagency territorial defense exercises and anti smuggling operations, among others.
Meanwhile, Nafarette reminded military personnel that while leadership may change, the mission of the Armed Forces remains the same: to protect the people, defend the state, and promote lasting peace in Western Mindanao.