Bukidnon Army commander sacked

MANILA, Philippines - The Army brigade commander in Bukidnon has been relieved from his post following the attack of communist rebels on the Del Monte and Dole plantations last week.

Lt. Col. Eugenio Osias IV, spokesman of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, said Col. James Jacob, chief of the 403rd Infantry Brigade, was relieved last Friday to allow him to face an inquiry into the attacks.

The relief was also due to the principle of command responsibility, which makes a military leader accountable for the acts of his troops, Osias said.

Jacob was replaced by Col. Francisco Pabayo, current civil-military operations chief of the Army.