Military’s top physician retires

Brig Gen. Mariano Mejia. Photo from AFP

The military’s top doctor, Brig Gen. Mariano Mejia, stepped down from office on Friday after 30 years of service.

Mejia, the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center (AFPMC), bade the military goodbye in a retirement ceremony presided by AFP Inspector General Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo dela Cruz at Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand.

Col. Patrick de Leon, the deputy for administration at AFPMC, will serve as acting commander, the AFP public affairs said in a statement.

Mejia was assigned as acting commander of the AFPMC in an acting capacity in August last year and officially assumed the position in December.

During his watch, medicines and equipment were sent to Camp Teodulfo Bautista Station Hospital last August and a fully-equipped field ambulance and a mobile surgical laboratory/diagnostic van were flown to Jolo in Sulu.

Mejia also deployed medical and surgical rotators to military hospitals in Zamboanga City, Cotabato City and Jolo. The teams are composed of medical and nurse corps who augmented the medical services in military treatment facilities.

An adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983, he is also a Scout Ranger and was assigned to different military treatment facilities from Luzon to Mindanao. Frances Mangosing/IDL/rga