CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army Commander recently led the opening of the Division’s museum located inside the army camp in Gamu, Isabela.

Commander Maj. Gen. Audrey Pasia formally opened the museum on May 2, 2023 for the public to view and appreciate the history and challenges of the army Division in Northern Luzon.

It is recalled that the 5th Infantry Division was originally known as the 5th Army Brigade on October 16, 1972 and it was a major unit of the Philippine Army. Its first station was located in Camp Servillano S. Aquino in San Miguel, Tarlac and the first unit's territorial jurisdictions covered Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and a portion of Quezon - north of Umiray River. 

Pasia said the museum was opened to the public for them to be acquainted with the Startroopers as he wants to bring the rich history of the 5ID for Educational, Informational, and Entertainment purposes. 

He said it is important that the public will know the sacrifices and heroism of the Startroopers and be familiarized with the logistics avaible during their time.

“The opening of the 5ID museum is part of the transformation adhered to by the 5ID in relation to the Army Transformation Roadmap,” Pasia said.

Some of the significant and distinguished victories of the 5ID that can be seen in the Museum are the heroism of then Lt. Mechor F. Dela Cruz, the dismantling of the renowned Marag Valley in Cagayan as the Headquarters of the Far North Luzon Regional Party Committee of the Northern Luzon Commission of the New People’s Army, the History of Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz, the recovery of the MV Karagatan in Digoyo Point in Palanan, Isabela with thousands of firearms and ammunitions and other triumphs.

Meanwhile, Natalie CB Almazan, Isabela Provincial Senior Tourism Operations Officer, served as the Guest of Honor during the Open House Ceremony. 

Almazan encouraged everyone to take care and visit the museum as a reminder of the heroic acts of the Startroopers. (OTB/MGE / PIA Isabela)