Retiring officers prompt military revamp

The retirement of two senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including its number-two man, has triggered a top-level revamp in the military organization.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa on Sunday said President Aquino had approved the designation of Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes as the new AFP vice chief of staff, replacing Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu who left the military service on Oct. 19 on reaching the mandatory military retirement age of 56.

Prior to his appointment, Coballes was chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

A member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1980, Coballes was also former commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division and a recipient of two Distinguished Conduct Stars, the second highest military honor in the AFP.

Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo, head of the 6th Infantry Division, had been designated to take over Coballes’ former post.

In turn, Ardo will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Ceasar Ronnie Ordoyo, current chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Raul Dimatatac had been named vice commander of the Philippine Air Force, succeeding Maj. Gen. Renato Lorenzo Sanchez who is set to retire on Oct. 26.

Dimatatac’s post as Chief of Air Staff had been passed to Brig. Gen. Wilfredo Ona, deputy commander of the 3rd Air Division.

Brig. Gen. Edgar Fallorina will assume Ona’s position and will be replaced as commander of the 520th Air Base Wing by Col. John Oliviamor Estabillo.

Nine other senior AFP officers were also given new assignments by President Aquino, Dellosa said. Marlon Ramos