Retirements trigger AFP movements

Armed Forces of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Two senior officials occupying key military commands in the Armed Forces of the Philippines are due for retirement and will be replaced soon, AFP Chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said on Tuesday.

Catapang said Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, commander of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) is due for retirement and will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID). The change of command will be held on Sept. 8, Ordoyo’s date of retirement.

Visaya had served in the Solcom’s 2nd Infantry Division and 9th Infantry Division.

Catapang also announced the retirement of Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Cruz will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, currently chief of Army’s 3rd ID. The turnover of command will take place on Sept. 5, a day before Cruz’s scheduled retirement.

Baladad is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class ’82; Cruz and Ordoyo, Class ’80; and Visaya, Class ’83.

Visaya said one of the top contenders to the post that he will vacate in the 4th ID is Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3) and a member of PMA Class ’84.–Cynthia D. Balana