Centcom gets new commander

CEBU, Philippines - The commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division will serve as concurrent commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines replacing Lt. General Ralph Villanueva who will retire on Friday.

Major General Jose Mabanta, Jr. was formally welcomed at the Centcom headquarters in Camp Lapu-Lapu during the turnover ceremony yesterday morning. Villanueva has relinquished his post few days ahead of his retirement date on August 17. He will turn 56 on that day, a compulsory retirement age for the men in uniform.

Villanueva served as Centcom commander for two years and nine months. He assumed office as Centcom commander in November 2010.

His tour of duty at Centcom was highlighted by the arrests of 320 communist-terrorists, 13 top ranking rebels and two guerilla fronts were downgraded. He was also responsible in the declaration of the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor as insurgency-free

Mabanta, said he will not change the strategies, policies, and plans that have been tested to maintain peace and order for years.

Mabanta said his new post will give him more strategic perspective and new challenges to embrace.

“All of us should come together, keep together and work together to achieve our goals and I will always be there to help for the betterment of the people and the country,” Mabanta said.

AFP chief of staff, General. Jessie Dellosa, who presided the turnover ceremony has praised Villanueva for making Centcom a trailblazer in security campaign and consistent involvement in humanitarian response in the region.

“He strengthens internal peace and security in the region and serious in his dealt in operational awareness,” Dellosa said

Dellosa challenged Mabanta to continue the campaign of Centcom not just in the insurgency but on the other aspects as well.

“I know he had the capability to unify a command to fulfill its mission,” Dellosa said.        - THE FREEMAN