NEWLY assumed Army's 58th Infantry Battalion commander Lt. Colonel Christian Uy would continue the best practices of his predecessor, Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, said during the change of command in Claveria, Misamis Oriental on Friday.

The change of command is a military tradition that signifies the formal transfer of power and responsibility for a unit from one commanding officer to another once the battalion commander has completed his tour of duty.

Uy even said being the protector of the people and the one preserving peace and harmony in his AOR, would continue its anti-insurgency drive.

During Canatoy's stint, the 58IB was able to dismantle three NPA guerilla fronts, including all of Sub-Regional Committee 1, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (SRC1, NCMRC), which made significant progress in maintaining peace and order and capability development in eastern Misamis Oriental and Camiguin provinces.

Lt. Col. Uy, like the Army's 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag who led the change of command would continue the gains of the Army against the communist rebels.

Whether of civilian or military nature, the 58IB will defend the country against terrorism and other forms of threats, according to Uy.

The 58IB and all 4ID units in the entire northern Mindanao had made halting any attempt of the communist rebels to reorganize, as one of its long-term objectives.

"This is part of the Army's "continuous and sustained efforts" to free communities, especially those in the hinterlands, from the violence perpetrated by the New People’s Army (NPA)," said Mamawag in a statement.

Mamawag said they won’t stop toppling down the communist groups.

We must be able to ensure that after destroying them, we will not give them any chance to recover, rearm, and regroup, according to Mamawag.

Mamawag said that he will make sure that they will remain on the ground unable to do what they used to do – and that is to sow violence and terrorism in our area of responsibility.

“Despite their hardline stance, they would give a chance to combatants who want to surrender, Mamawag however said.