Camiling bows out after 34 years in Army

Army commander Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling Jr. is set to retire on Nov. 15 after 34 years of military service.

Three Air Force generals had earlier retired.

When he made a retirement call at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City recently, Camiling was presented the honorary PAF Gold Wings and a carved replica by Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Nestor Santillan.

Camiling was also given the traditional military honors.

The youngest member of Philippine Military Academy Class ’69, Camiling was a classmate of retired Air Force chief Gen. Benjamin Defensor, brother of former senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Camiling assumed command of the Army on Nov. 15, 2002.

The three retired Air Force generals are Maj. Gen. Apolonio Ugale, Maj. Gen. Marciano Ilagan and Brig. Gen. Jaime Canatoy.

Ugale, who retired on Oct. 23, capped 34 years of military service as Air Force vice commander, while Ilagan, who headed the Tactical Operations Command in Cebu, retired on Oct. 25.

Canatoy retired as chief of the Air Force Reserve Command on Oct. 26 during a grand testimonial parade at Villamor Air Base participated in by Air Force reservists. — Sandy Araneta