Military names new head of 8th Infantry Division

July 12, 2019

Maj. Gen. Pio Diñoso III assumed command of the Army's 8th Infantry Division in a ceremony in Samar last week, a military official said on Friday.

Capt. Reynaldo Aragones, spokesman of the 8th Infantry Division, said Diñoso replaced Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio in a change of command ceremony at the unit’s headquarters in Brgy. Maulong, Catbalogan City on July 5.

He said Diñoso was Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4 prior to his designation as the 21st Commander of 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division."

Aragones said the ceremony was held more than a month before the compulsory retirement of Farnacio.

"Maj. Gen. Farnacio volunteered to vacate his post to allow a new leadership to take root until his formal testimonial retirement ceremony at Headquarters Philippine Army on the 9th of August 2019," he said.

He said Farnacio served at Armed Forces of the Philippines for more than 38 years.

Aragones said the event that was presided by Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, the Army chief, was witnessed by Lt. Gen. Noel Clement, head of the Central Command and other active and retired military and police officials.

In his remarks, Diñoso said he sees members of New People's Army (NPA) as victims not enemies.

"If this is really a hardship assignment, then I came to the right place…The insurgency situation here in Region 8 or elsewhere where  there are many NPA rebels, is just an indicator of how we, in government, deliver public service," he said.

"On the NPA rebels, I see them not as enemies but as victims, victims whom we have to rescue. We have to get them out of the predicament they are entrapped in,” he added.

Aragones said in his speech Alberto "congratulated Maj. Gen. Farnacio for the successful accomplishments of 8ID under his leadership" and "challenged Maj. Gen. Diñoso to prevail upon and continue the pursuit for lasting peace and development in Eastern Visayas." Robina Asido/DMS