BRIGADIER General Michele B. Anayron Jr. assumed command of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) of the Philippine Army on January 28, 2025, vowing to strengthen its flagship program, the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev), and a similar initiative in the Caraga region.
He also committed to intensifying internal security operations and defending against external threats.
During his inaugural speech, BGen. Anayron emphasized the Division’s commitment to enhancing CAPDev, a collaborative approach to addressing the root causes of insurgency within the 4ID’s area of responsibility.
He also affirmed the Division’s role in ensuring the peaceful and credible conduct of the 2025 mid-term elections.
“While our focus is on internal security and nation-building, we must not lose sight of our role in external security operations,” Anayron said. “The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division will remain vigilant and ready to defend our territorial integrity and respond to emerging external threats. Our dual role demands the highest level of professionalism, which I am confident the Division will continue to uphold.”
The change of command ceremony was presided over by Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
BGen. Anayron, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992, brings over 30 years of military experience to the position. He took command from Brigadier General Consolito P. Yecla, who served as acting commander following the retirement of Major General Jose Maria R. Cuerpo II.
Before this appointment, Anayron served as the commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade based in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, beginning Jan. 13, 2023.
He has also held various key positions within the 4ID, including assistant division commander for reservist and retiree affairs, chief of staff, commanding officer of the 4th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, and assistant chief of staff for logistics (G4).
His early military career included assignments in the Visayas under the 8th Infantry Division from 1992 to 1999 and command of both the 25th and 67th Infantry Battalions under the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division in the Davao region.
BGen. Anayron urged all Diamond Troopers to adhere to the Philippine Army Chief’s acronym A.R.M.Y. for guidance in their duties.
“These thrusts will guide us to ensure that we remain effective, dedicated, and united in fulfilling our duties and achieving success in our campaigns,” he explained.
Lt. Gen. Galido thanked Yecla for his service as acting commander and congratulated Anayron on his new role.
He provided guidance on external security responsibilities, emphasizing the need for economic growth, efficient resource utilization, organizational unity, strengthened reserve forces, and sustainable food production.
“It is the external threat or the territorial defense that we need to…work on collectively,” Galido said. “The military cannot do it alone; we have to do it the way we can defeat insurgency here in Northern Mindanao and Caraga region.”
He also met separately with the brigade and battalion commanders to discuss post-military preparedness and sustaining progress toward peaceful and developed communities.
Among those present at the ceremony were Lt. Gen. Luis Rex D. Bergante, commander of Eastern Mindanao Command; MGen. Rey Alemania, deputy chief of staff for logistics (J4); MGen. Allan D. Hambala, commander of the 10th Infantry Division; PBGen. Jaysen C. De Guzman, regional director of PRO X; the provincial governors of Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental; former 4ID commanders; local government officials; key stakeholders; and senior officers from the 4ID.r
Photo courtesy of 4th Infantry Division
