• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The former Civil Military Operations Officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental, is the new commanding general of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division in Gamu, Isabela.
Brig. Gen. Gulliver Señires, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1992, yesterday replaced Maj. Gen. Audrey Pasia, who reached the mandatory retirement of 57, in a change of command ceremony held at 5ID headquarters in Gamu, Isabela, which was presided over by Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido.
Prior to his designation as 5ID commander, Señires served as commander of the Army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division based in Central Luzon.
In the mid 90’s, he served as Civil Military Operations officer of the 303rd Infantry Brigade based in Brgy. Minoyan, Murcia.
With a renewed focus on territorial defense, Señires said he will support the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and maritime forces, following his assumption of command of the 5th Infantry Division.
In his recent visit to 5ID headquarters in Isabela, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines must be prepared because of more pronounced external threats, as a result of the heightened geopolitical tension in the Indo-Pacific.
President Marcos said the Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan puts it in China’s area of interest that is why it is important that the northern part of the Philippines is well-prepared for any eventuality.
“And that is why — the external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome. And that is why we have to prepare,” President Marcos told the members of the 5ID.
In order to build a robust and inclusive manpower, Señires vowed to empower the non-commissioned personnel, whom he referred to as the backbone of the 5ID defense.
In his speech, Lt. Gen. Galido commended the men and women of 5ID for their gallantry in confronting both local and international groups.
Galido said that the 5ID remains a source of manpower whenever there are critical situations in Mindanao, urging all its manpower to work together as we march towards the Bagong Pilipinas.
As 5ID commander, Señires supervises 501st, 502nd and 503rd Infantry Brigades and Joint Task Force Baguio in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley regions, as well as the Cordillera Administrative Region.*
