Barbieto Is New 4th Infantry Division Chief In North Mindanao

Brig. Gen. Jose Barbieto, new commander of Army's 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao. (Dante Sudaria)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 10 Aug) Philippine Army Brig. Gen. Jose Barbieto on Thursday formally took over as the new commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao, officials said.

Barbieto replaced Maj. Gen. Cardozo Luna, who was appointed as commander of the military’s Visayas Command in Cebu province in the central Philippines.

The general vowed to crush insurgency. "This in line with the continuous effort of the government to fight communist rebels and restore peace and order in the whole region," said Barbieto, who was Luna’s former deputy.

"Crushing the insurgency is our top priority. Social and economic development would inevitably follow in a secured area," he said.

Barbieto also said that he needed soldiers that would help civilians in far-flung areas as partners in fighting insurgents. "Soldiers should acquire a different approach to their job by being more performance-oriented," he said.