9 officers given new assignments in new AFP revamp

MANILA, Philippines - Nine senior military officers were given new assignments in a new wave of leadership change in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

AFP public affairs chief Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said President Aquino approved the reassignments last Aug. 15.

He said the personnel movement was implemented “to maintain the military’s dynamism and continue its credible leadership.”

The reshuffle involved three generals, four colonels and two Navy captains.

Maj. Gen. Renato David, brother of former AFP chief Ricardo David, was named Army vice commander. He used to be the chief of staff of the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Romulo Cabantac Jr. was designated chief engineer. He was the Army internal auditor prior to his new assignment.

Also in the list of officers with new positions is Brig. Gen. Cesar Ronnie Ordoyo, now the chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Ordoyo was the commander of the 301st brigade before he was designated as the military’s intelligence chief.

Outgoing Pension and Gratuity Management Center chief Col. Rolando Jungco was appointed AFP Adjutant General tasked to authenticate, publish, distribute and disseminate orders, publications and correspondences.

Col. Richard Siga-an, the outgoing Air Force internal auditor, succeeded Jungco as pension chief.

On the other hand, Col. Romeo Taguinod replaced Col. Siga-an as new Air Force internal auditor. He used to be the assistant deputy chief of staff for civil military operations.

Navy Col. Rodolfo Santiago, the outgoing chief of staff of the National Development Support Command, was named assistant deputy chief of staff for civil military operations.

Navy Capt. Ronald Joseph Mercado was appointed assistant deputy chief of staff for plans. Mercado previously served as the deputy commander of the Naval Forces West based in Zamboanga City.

Navy Capt. Joel de la Cruz, the former chief of the Navy Finance Center, was designated as the naval internal auditor.

“The change of leadership in the organization’s units and offices is part of the continuous dynamism of the institution which is vital in carrying out our mandate effectively,” AFP chief Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr. said in a statement.

On Thursday, the military announced a minor reshuffle involving four officers.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, the outgoing chief of the Armed Forces Modernization Program Management Office, was appointed deputy chief for plans and programs.