New 9th ID commander installed

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978 has been designated to head a key Army post in the insurgency-affected Bicol region.

Maj. Gen. Josue Gaverza, commander of the Army’s Support Command based at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, was installed yesterday by Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz as the new commander of the 5,000-strong 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Gaverza replaced Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan of PMA Class of 1977, who bowed out of the military service a day ahead of his 56th birthday yesterday.