Promotion of 4 military officers triggers AFP revamp

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced yesterday the promotion of senior military officers to four key field positions, triggering a major revamp in the command leadership of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine Navy (PN).

Maj. Gen. Alan Luga was designated as the new commander of the Lucena City-based Southern Luzon Command (Solcom), while Rear Admiral Jose Luis Alano was named commander of the Cebu-based Central Command (Centcom).

Solcom and Centcom, two key AFP area commands, had no permanent commander since the retirement of Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali and Lt. Gen. Ralph Villanueva. Detabali retired as Solcom commander last July while Villanueva bowed out of the service last August.

Alano’s designation as Centcom commander raised some eyebrows, since this is the first time that a Navy officer was appointed to command an Army-dominated unit covering the rebel-influenced Samar-Leyte areas in Eastern Visayas and Negros and Panay islands in the western part of the region.

Brig. Gen. Nestor Anonuevo, AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, was appointed commander of the Cagayan de Oro City-based 4th Infantry Division, a post vacated by retired Maj. Gen. Victor Felix.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, commander of the 703rd Brigade, takes over Luga’s old post as 7th Infantry Division commander.

Rear Admiral Orwen Cortez, Navy vice commander, has been designated Philippine Fleet commander, a position previously held by Alano. 

Rear Admiral Edgar Abogado, chief of Naval staff, would replace Cortez.

Commodore Jesus Millan will take over Abogado’s post.

Capt. Primitivo Gopo, commanding officer of the Navy’s Finance Center, was designated commander of the Naval Reserve Command. Gopo’s replacement has yet to be announced.

Camp Aguinaldo insiders also bared that Maj. Gen. Joel Ibanez is slated to assume command of the Gamu, Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division following the retirement of Maj. Gen. Rommel Gomez.

Other senior officers given new assignments include: Col. Henry Sabarre, deputy brigade commander of the 702nd Brigade has been designated 703rd commander; Col. Jet Velarmino, former 101st Brigade Commander, is assigned as deputy commander of the Army’s Special Operations Command; Col. Mayoralgo de la Cruz, commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, has been kicked up as deputy commander of the Philippine Army Light Armor Division; Col. James Jacob, from being chief of staff of the 4th Infantry Division, is now commander of the 403rd Infantry Brigade; Col. Eduardo Collado, deputy commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade, has been designated commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade. 

Navy Capt. Aurelio Rabusa Jr., chief of staff of the Naval Education and Training Command, has been assigned as deputy commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. His replacement is yet to be named.

AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the revamp is in line with progressive succession in the military leadership.