New military commanders named

By Ronron
August 21, 2007

The Defense establishment named on Tuesday the new commanders in key military posts around the country with the retirement of some officers in the coming days.

“The Department of National Defense (DND) has announced today President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s approval of the recommendation of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Board of Generals and the Secretary of National Defense of seven senior military officials to key positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” a statement of the department reads.

According to the statement, Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano will replace Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino as Army commanding general when the latter retires on Friday.

Yano will be replaced at the Southern Luzon Command by Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Obaniana, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief.

Obaniana, meanwhile, will be replaced by the current commander of the Central Command (Centcom), Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna.

Replacing Luna at the Centcom will be Maj. Gen. Victor Ibrado, the current head of the Special Operations Command of the Philippine Army. Ibrado’s replacement was not yet identified.

Meanwhile, replacing Lt. Eugenio Cedo as Western Mindanao Commander (Westmincom) chief when he retires on September 6 is Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) commandant.

Allaga will be succeeded by Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino, the current National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) chief.

Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division will then become the new NCRCOM chief.

“The newly-appointed officials will replace the senior military officers who are set to retire from the military service to ensure the continuity and momentum of the AFP efforts against threats to national security,” the statement said./DMS