Uchida takes over top Army post in Panay

CEBU, Philippines- Colonel Eric Uchida on Monday took over the helm of the Philippine Army in Panay Island, specifically the 301st Infantry Brigade based at Camp Hernandez in Dingle town of Iloilo.

Uchida, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984, formally assumed the post, succeeding Brigadier General Arnold Quiapo, who was named the new chief of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It was on November 2011 when Uchida also took command of the 301st IBde, albeit temporarily replacing then Brigadier General Ronnie Caesar Ordoyo, who was also promoted to head the ISAFP.

For Uchida, his being the new 301st IBde commander, permanently this time, would mean a task in sustaining the peace and development efforts of the AFP in Panay Island.

"We need the help of all stakeholders. We believed that with the participation of stakeholders, we could bring government services to even the most remote areas of Panay," he said.

The solution to insurgency problem is not armed violence although operations against armed elements will continue, said Uchida.

Meanwhile, Quiapo replaced Major General Eduardo Año as ISAFP chief effective July 31 after serving Panay Island since December 2011.

He had been an intelligence officer before, as he handled the K-9 Company of the Phil. Army's Intelligence Service Group and took counter terrorism training abroad.