New Solcom chief named

MANILA, Philippines - The Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) has a new chief.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, commander of the 4th Infantry Division (ID) based in Cagayan de Oro, will assume over the post to be vacated by Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Quidilla, who is retiring today.

The turnover rites will be held at Camp Guillermo Nakar in Lucena City.

 Maj. Gen. Ronald Villanueva, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief, will take over as 4th ID commander.

Villanueva and Madrigal both belong to the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985.

Sources said Brig. Gen. Macairog Alberto, a classmate of Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, will replace Villanueva as ISAFP chief.

Madrigal said he would use his strategy in fighting communist rebels in Northern Mindanao in his new assignment.

“After Marawi, we will focus more on coordinated team efforts for an intensified campaign against New People’s Army rebels,” he said.

The 4th ID is among those involved in operations against Maute militants in Marawi.  

“There are many enemies in Mindanao. (At Solcom) they are simply remnants that can be easily dealt with by increasing the involvement of stakeholders, especially those in the communities,” he  said.