Army installs new commanders

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Army has announced the installation of new commanders of its elite forces at its headquarters at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija on Wednesday.

Brigadier General Donato San Juan was named as the new commander of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the unit that oversees Army’s specialized forces.

He replaced Major General John Bonafos who was moved to the Central Command based in Cebu.

San Juan was previously the commander of Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), one of Army’s elite forces.

In a statement, Army spokesman Captain Anthony Bacus described San Juan as “an army professional with first-rate performance in all assignments and posts he took command, making him well-suited to head SOCOM.”

Replacing San Juan as Special Forces commander is Colonel Ronnie Evangelista. He was previously the officer-in-charge of the said unit.

He also served as acting commandant of the Special Forces School and the Commanding Officer of the Light Reaction Battalion.

Army chief Lieutenant General Noel Coballes will preside the assumption and change of command ceremonies at Fort Magsaysay.