New AFP chief takes over Saturday

President Arroyo directed yesterday Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commander of the military’s Southern Command (Southcom) based in Zamboanga City, to assume his new post as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday, or two days ahead of schedule.

Cimatu succeeds Gen. Diomedio Villanueva who officially bows out of the service on Monday upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The President verbally issued the order to Cimatu during a joint meeting of the Regional Development Council and the Regional Peace and Order Council in Cagayan de Oro City.

"We have here Southcom chief and soon-to-be chief of staff of the Armed Forces Roy Cimatu. We have him here until Saturday. Saturday, he takes over as chief of staff of the Armed Forces," Mrs. Arroyo told participants of the meeting.

She did not give any reason for advancing the AFP’s turnover of command.

The President disclosed earlier that she would appoint Villanueva to a ranking position at the state-owned Philippine National Oil Co.

Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) chief Maj. Gen. Ernesto Carolina is set to take over the seat to be vacated by Cimatu at the Southcom.

The President has not announced Carolina’s replacement at the Solcom.

Villanueva took over the top AFP post on March 17 last year, giving him a 15-month stint.

"We discern a new ethos emerging, where leadership is by example and where actions move more than words," the AFP said in a statement on Villanueva’s retirement.

The statement described him as having a "low key profile that reflects the principles that he has lived by through his 38 years of service."

The AFP also said he was known among the troops as a down-to-earth and compassionate leader who led some of the most successful campaigns against local insurgency.

"Foremost among these was the Marag Valley campaign where his leadership broke the back of the CPP/NPA/NDF in the area after a prolonged campaign to fight the insurgents."

Villanueva was also cited for his role in the historic people power II at EDSA that toppled the Estrada administration in January 2001.

"His solid leadership and the unity of the Armed Forces were put to the test when they defended the national leadership during the EDSA III. General Villanueva, a bemedaled soldier of many a victorious campaign, always put country and people above self-interest," the AFP said. – Marichu Villanueva, Perseus Echeminada, Roel Pareño, Paolo Romero