Army’s Felix retires as 4th ID chief

MANILA, Philippines – An Army commander retired from service Tuesday in a simple change of command ceremony in Cagayan de Oro City, the Philippine Army said.

Major General Victor Felix of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division bowed out from service at Camp Evangelista in a ceremony presided by Army chief Lieutenant General Emmanuel Bautista.

Felix is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979.

He was succeeded by Brigadier General Romeo Gapuz, the Assistant Division Commander in an acting capacity while awaiting for the designation of a permanent commander.

Gapuz is from PMA Class 1981.

Also set to retire this month is Army 5th Infantry Division Commander Major General Rommel Gomez. He is expected to retire on September 17.

Meanwhile, two other key posts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines have yet to be occupied following the retirement of military officials recently.

The AFP Southern Luzon Command is still under Army’s 2nd Infantry Division Commander Major General Eduardo del Rosario in an acting capacity as its chief Lieutenant General Rolando Detabali stepped down in July, while the AFP Central Command is under Major General Jose Mabanta also in an acting capacity as its commander Lieutenant General Ralph Villanueva retired last month.

Military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos told INQUIRER.net that the Board of Generals has already submitted its recommendations to the President, but an appointment order has yet to be released.