Military turnover rites postponed due to supertyphoon ‘Yolanda’

Armed Forces of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Change of command in critical military posts will be postponed because of supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan).

The military turnovers in Central Command (Centcom) based in Cebu and Western Command based in Palawan originally scheduled for Friday would be moved to a later date, Centcom spokesman Lieutenant Jim Alagao said Thursday.

Incoming commander of Centcom is Major General John Bonafos, current chief of the Special Operations Command based in Nueva Ecija. He oversees the Army’s elite personnel – Special Forces, Scout Ranger and Light Reaction Regiments.

Air Force officer Lieutenant General Roy Deveraturda, current commander of Centcom, will be moved to Wescom.

“The turnovers for Centcom and Wescom are tentatively rescheduled on Monday or Tuesday,” Alagao said.

“If it pushes through on Friday, special guests including Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Emmanuel Bautista might not be able to attend,” he said.

Meanwhile, the retirement ceremony of Western Mindanao Command chief Lieutenant General Rey Ardo scheduled on Saturday will still push through.

Wesmincom spokesman Major Franco Alano said that there were still no changes of schedule as of posting time.

Set to take the Wesmincom leadership based in Zamboanga City is Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero, current chief of Wescom.

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