AFP reshuffles key posts

AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The military on Monday announced the designation of star-rank officers to key positions in the military, as approved by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III.

Major General Alan R Luga, head of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division, was designated as commander of Southern Luzon Command, effective September 14.

Luga, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981, used to head the 802nd Brigade of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, and it was during his time that  Bohol became insurgency free in 2010.

Brigadier General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade, will replace Major General Luga as Commander of the 7th Infantry Division.

Also, Rear Admiral Jose Luis M Alano, Commander of the Philippine Fleet (PHLFLT), was designated as Commander of Central Command which holds jurisdiction Visayas, effective September 14.

He is the first Navy officer to head the Centcom, which is usually given to Army officers.

Vice Commander Rear Admiral Orwen Cortez will head the Philippine Fleet.

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy’s Chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Edgar L Abogado was also designated as Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy. He was also the Commander of the Naval Forces Northern Luzon and Commander of PN Logistics Center.

Brig. Gen. Nestor E Añonuevo, the AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, was also recently appointed as commander of the 4th Infantry Division, replacing Maj. Gen. Victor A Felix who retired three weeks ago.

Also, Commodore Jesus O Millan, Commander of the Naval Reserve Command, was designated as Chief of Naval Staff effective September 14.

Other senior officers of the AFP were also designated new posts. Included in the newly designated officers were Colonel Henry G Sabarre, Deputy Brigade Commander of the 702nd Brigade, assigned as Commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade; Col. Jet B Velarmino, 101st Brigade Commander, assigned as Deputy Commander of the Army’s Special Operations Command; Col. Mayoralgo M Dela Cruz, 1st Mechanized Brigade Commander, assigned as Deputy Commander of Army’s Light Armor Division; Col. James V Jacob, Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Division, assigned as Commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade; and Col. Eduardo L Collado, Deputy Commander of 503rd IB, assigned as Commander of 502nd Infantry Brigade.

Also, Captain Primitivo P Gopo, commanding officer of PN Finance Center, will replace Commo Millan as the new commander of the Naval Reserve Command. He was joined by Captain Aurelio A Rabusa Jr, the chief of staff of the Naval Education and Training Command, assigned as Deputy Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command.

“Your new designations will not only benefit the new offices and units that you hold, but will also be a significant advancement in your military career,” AFP Chief General Jessie Dellosa said.

“The changes in the positions we hold is part and parcel of being a military officer. We all went through a rigorous selection process and I am sure that you will be successful in accomplishing the new tasks assigned to you,” he added.