Bambao tapped to head Army’s special operations

MANILA, Philippines—Major General Romulo Bambao will assume the top post of the Philippine Army’s Special Operations Command vacated by Major General Roberto Morales, who retired last week, a military spokesman said Monday.

Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said that Bambao’s designation is among the changes within the military ranks after Malacañang approved the appointment of two generals and one senior officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Prior to his appointment, Bambao, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class 1979, was the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. Maj. Gen. Eduardo Del Rosario, a member of the PMA Class 1980, will replace Bambao. Del Rosario is the commander of the Civil Relations Service.

Meanwhile, Col. Donato San Juan will assume the post of commander of Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) of the Philippine Army. A member of the PMA Class 1984, he is the current assistant chief of staff for personnel, G1, of the Philippine Army.

The SFR (A) post was vacated because of a pre-trial investigation on Col. Aminkadra Undog in connection with the Al-Barka incident, Burgos said.

“What separates these positions from all other major units of the AFP is their specialization and importance. These field units at the forefront of our internal security operations indeed require the management of well-experienced and knowledgeable heads. The succession of these newly appointed officers will surely see the continuation of the remarkable performance and services provided by these units to the AFP,” spokesman Burgos said, quoting AFP Chief Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa.