New AFP spox Padilla also installed as media and civil affairs chief

MANILA, Philippines — Aside from being a “white hat hacker” and the new face of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Col. Francel Magareth Padilla dons another hat as the new group commander of the armed forces’ media and civil affairs group (MCAG).

A change of command ceremony was held at the Civil Relations Service (CRS) Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Wednesday morning.

AFP’s CRS Commander, Major General Ramon Zagala, presided over the turnover of leadership.

Padilla succeeded Maj. Cenon Pancito, who also received a military merit medal for his achievements in the MCAG.

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In a statement, the AFP said Zagala “challenged the newly-installed MCAG commander to sustain the gains laid down by his predecessors and further lead the unit to more successes.”

As a commissioned officer in the Philippine Army’s Signal Corps, Padilla assumed her post as spokesperson on Tuesday, succeeding Col. Medel Aguilar.