At 3ID: Crucero out, Ibrado in
Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. pins
the service medal to outgoing Commanding
General of the Third Infantry Division Philippine
Army Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Crucero during the
command turnover at Camp Peralta, Jamindan,
Capiz last Sunday. At right is the new Commanding
General of 3ID Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado. ECGarcia
After thirty six years of military service Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Crucero finally retired last Sunday, July 16, leaving his post as Commanding General of the Third Infantry Division (3ID) Philippine Army to Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado.
Ibrado served as 3ID's chief of staff before being appointed Commanding General of the 3ID which covers Western and Central Visayas. He was also former commander of Special Forces Regiment and the Scout Rangers Regiment.
Incidentally, it was the third time in which Ibrado took the post left by Crucero. Ibrado also replaced Crucero at 11th Infantry Division in 1993 and at 303rd Division in 2003.
In accepting the position Ibrado vowed to double his efforts in order to be at par with the achievements of his predecessor.
Crucero, as noted by Army chief and incoming AFP chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. who was the guest of honor at the turn-over ceremony, had a sterling performance in his one year and nine months of service as Commanding General of 3ID.
Crucero was hailed not only in implementing various physical projects which benefited the army soldiers but also in changing their attitude towards professionalism.
His expertise also resulted to significant gains for the Philippine Army's internal security operations (ISO). He enabled the troops to become a source of national pride with the successful neutralization of many rebel elements.
As he left the 3ID to live a private life Crucero called on the troops to serve their new commander and continue to live by the tenets of military service.
Ibrado for his part vowed to continue the programs started by Crucero especially in the campaign on internal security and in bringing the community closer to the army.