DAVAO CITY — The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) formally installed its 15th Commander, MGen. Adonis Ariel G. Orio PA, in a Change of Command Ceremony held at Naval Station Felix Apolinario in Panacan, Davao City, on November 15.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. PA presided over the ceremony and served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.
In his message, Gen. Brawner underscored the crucial role of strong and capable leadership in sustaining EastMinCom’s mandate of addressing security challenges across Eastern Mindanao.
“I am very familiar with the mission of the Eastern Mindanao Command… Over the years, EastMinCom has proven its worth as the protector of its people and of our country,” Gen. Brawner said, stressing that the Command’s strength is rooted in the character and commitment of its leaders.
Outgoing Commander LtGen. Luis Rex D. Bergante PA reflected on his four decades of military service, describing his tenure as a period of both profound challenges and meaningful victories.
“For almost four decades, I saluted the patriotism of our troops… I saw communities grow and develop after peace was won. It has been life-changing not just for me but for all those I have been privileged to serve,” LtGen. Bergante said, expressing gratitude as he closed a pivotal chapter in his career.
Taking the helm, MGen. Orio vowed to sustain the Command’s security gains and push for more decisive actions against remaining threat groups.
“Our task now is to translate strategy into action,” he said, committing to strengthen operations across Regions 10 to 13. He emphasized intelligence-driven, swift, and well-coordinated efforts to defeat the remaining nine NPA vertical units, three Regional Party Committees, and four Sub-Regional Committees operating in Eastern Mindanao.
MGen. Orio also shared his guiding leadership philosophy anchored on the acronym S.T.O.R.M—Self-mastery, True priorities, Operate with focus, Respect timelines, and Magnify faith in God.
“Train hard, protect the people, and serve with excellence, courage, and compassion. We are the pillars of stability for our nation,” he told the troops, urging unity and professionalism amid present security challenges.
Prior to his appointment, MGen. Orio served as Commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade under the 4th Infantry Division and previously led the 8th Infantry Division. He is a member of the PMA ‘Tanglaw-Diwa’ Class of 1992.
EastMinCom plays a central role in conducting joint security operations across Eastern, Central, and Northern Mindanao—an area long considered critical to national security.