AFP assigns new military commander in Marawi City

Military offensives continue in Marawi City. AFP

An Army commander leading the offensive operations in Marawi City has been relieved of his post, the military said on Friday.

Brig. Gen. Nixon Fortes, commander of the Army 103rd Brigade, was replaced by his deputy, Col. Generoso Ponio.

The replacement was confirmed by Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ray Tiongson.

Ponio is the assistant division commander of 103rd Brigade. Fortes was designated as assistant division commander of the First Infantry Division.

“That’s not the reason,” Tiongson said when asked if Fortes’ relief was related to the Marawi crisis, which has reached its 11th day.

Fortes’ relief orders were effective last May 29.

“Army’s 1ID commander Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista, he is also the head of Task Force Marawi so he needs an assistant division commander so that everything will not be focused on him, so that other concerns of the division will be addresed,” Tiongson said. JPV/rga