3 military generals given new posts

MANILA, Philippines - Three military generals have been given new posts in the latest round of leadership change in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Brig. Gen. Rodelio Santos, the former commander of the Maguindanao-based 603rd Infantry Brigade, has been named the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

As the military’s operations chief, Santos will oversee the implementation of the internal peace and security plan.

“Given the experience of Brig. Gen. Santos in his duty in the field, we are very confident that he can deliver what is expected of him in bringing his new office to greater heights,” Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal said in a statement.

Santos succeeded Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad, who has assumed as the new chief of the Capiz-based 3rd Infantry Division. Baladad succeeded Brig. Gen. Jonas Sumagaysay who led the unit in an acing capacity following the retirement of Jose Mabanta.

The 3rd Infantry Division’s area of responsibility covers Panay and Negros, where the New People’s Army (NPA) has a strong presence.

Baladad was among the military officers who were accused of torture and robbery by the so-called Morong 43, a group of suspected communist rebels who claimed to be rural health workers.

Baladad has belied the accusations and has expressed readiness to face the charges against him.

In an earlier interview, Baladad vowed to continue the military’s peace and development efforts in Panay and Negros.

“If there is no security, there is not much development. Our approach will be to bring our troops in the area so it can be peaceful and for now, our concentration is Negros Oriental,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, the former senior military adviser of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, yesterday assumed as chief of the 7th Infantry Division in Nueva Ecija.

Iriberri succeeded Maj. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, who is now the chief of the Northern Luzon Command.

Prior to his designation as 7th division chief, Iriberri was commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade based in Abra.