AFP creates new national development command, announces revamp of other officers

By Ronron
August 24, 2007

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFF) announced on Friday the activation of its National Development Command (NDC) that will undertake infrastructure projects as directed by the national leadership.

AFP chief information officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said the new command is in support to “national development to transform conflict-affected communities into peace and development areas.”

“To support the realization of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan agenda of ending all hostilities by year 2010, the AFP has activated the AFP National Development Command,” Bacarro told reporters late yesterday afternoon.

Bacarro said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the commander-in-chief of the AFP, approved the designation of Army Maj. Gen. Jaime Buenaflor as the first commander of said command.

“Maj. Gen. Buenaflor, a well-rounded officer with vast experience in Civil Military Operations (CMO) suits well to the task of overseeing the AFP’s involvement in developmental activities having been the Assistant Chief of Staff for CMO (G7) of the army and commander of the Civil Relations Service, AFP, and currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for CMO (J7),” said Bacarro.

Bacarro said the AFP-NDC will not only orchestrate engineering efforts but other CMO activities as well, like medical and dental assistance, in coordination with concerned agencies like the Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

National in scope, the command will initially be based in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, where the AFP General Headquarters is, said Bacarro.

The military spokesman could not immediately tell reporters the strength of the command since it is still in the process of being organized.

“The command will have its own troops but the Corps of Engineers will be under its operational control and the health services can be under its functional supervision,” Bacarro said.

Replacing Buenaflor as J7 is Army Brig. Gen. Alfredo Cayton, the current commander of the General Headquarters and Headquarters Services Command.

Cayton, meanwhile, will be replaced by Army Col. Ireneo Espino, the commander of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade based in Zamboanga del Norte.

Espino will be replaced by Army Col. Romulo Bambao, the current deputy commander of the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM).

Bacarro said the new NCRCOM Deputy Commander will be Army Col. Romeo Fajardo, the deputy commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Delfin Bangit, the current chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP), will replace Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa at the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. Mesa was earlier announced as the new NCRCOM chief, replacing Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino who will head the Philippine Marine Corps.

Taking over Bangit at the ISAFP is Brig. Gen. Arsenio Arugay, the current commanding general of the 9th Infantry Division, which covers the Bicol Region.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sodusta, the AFP Internal Auditor, will replace Arugay at the 9th ID.

The new AFP Internal Auditor will then be Brig. Gen. Roland Detabali, the current Army Internal Auditor, said Bacarro.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Melchor Dilodilo will be the new commander of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division based in Isabela province, replacing Maj. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, earlier appointed as Northern Luzon Command chief.

Dilodilo’s post as chief of staff of the Philippine Army will be taken over by Brig. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, currently the Commandant of Cadets of the Philippine Military Academy.

Bacarro said Villanueva will be replaced by Army Col. Jesse Dellosa, who will turn over his post as chief of the Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade to Col. Cesar Yano, the current Assistant chief of staff for Operation (G3) of the Philippine Army. The 302nd IB is based in Bohol province.

Furthermore, Commodore Rafael Dacanay will be the incoming chief of the AFP Real State Office. He is currently the commander of the Naval Construction Brigade.

And, Air Force Col. Antonio Bautista will the incoming Adjutant General of the AFP, replacing Commodore Paterno Labiano who is due for retirement, said Bacarro./DMS