Aquino names Wescom chief, other gov’t execs

President Aquino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Marine Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (Wescom) replacing Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban who is retiring, the military’s Public Information Office (PIO) announced on Tuesday.

Sabban, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978, is stepping down on April 1 when he reaches the mandatory military retirement age of 56.

Turnover ceremonies are scheduled on that day in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

Guerrero was appointed Marine commandant in August 2010. He was also commander of the military antiterrorism unit Joint Task Force Comet based in Jolo, Sulu.

A member of PMA Dimalupig Class of ’81, Guerrero completed his Master’s of Military Study and Command and Staff College at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, the PIO said.

Other key positions

The PIO said Guerrero also held key positions in the AFP such as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Brigade in Basilan; superintendent of the Marine Corps Training Center; chief of staff of the Philippine Marine Corps, and chief of the Plans and Policy Division of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training, J8.

Meanwhile, Malacañang also announced several appointments by the President.

Undersecretary Abigail Valte said Milagros Isabel Cristobal was named to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s governing board, while Joffrey Suyao was designated acting director IV of the Department of Labor and Employment.

New officials

Also appointed were the following: Faisar Mambuay, director IV of the Department of Agrarian Reform; Casiano Arcillas, Register of Deeds 1 of the Land Registration Authority; Paul Elmer Clemente, acting director IV of the Department of Justice; Rolando Castro, acting director III of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Patrick Aquino, director III of the Department of Energy; Virginia Karganilla and Gary Martel, director IV of the Department of Budget and Management; Ma. Angelita Cells and Akmad Usman, director III of the DBM, and John Arnold Siena, acting schools division superintendent.

Joseph Khonghun was appointed to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority board of directors and Elmoise Afurong to the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council.

Mr. Aquino reappointed Carla Pacis and Ma. Cristina Lim-Yuson to the National Council for Children’s Television. With a report from TJ Burgonio