New Marines chief named

President Arroyo appointed yesterday a well-rounded Marine officer as commandant of the Philippine Marines Corps to replace another senior officer who was given another area of command.

Maj. Gen. Oriando Buenaventura, AFP deputy chief of staff for education and training (J-8), formally took over command yesterday from Brig. Gen. Benedicto Corona, who commanded the Marines in acting capacity for almost a month after Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio was designated Central Command commander based in Cebu.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1972, Buenaventura was among the AFP officers involved in the conduct of a series of joint RP-US Balikatan war games in the country.

His appointment as the overall commander of the 9,000-strong Marines triggered minor changes in the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Brig. Gen. Gabriel Habacon, head of the Western Mindanao Joint Task Force Comet based in Zamboanga City, took over the reins of the 604th Brigade.

Navy Flag-Officer-in Command Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon welcomed the appointment of Buenaventura, his "mistah."

"Major General Buenaventura is an officer fit to be appointed as the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. He is respected by both the officers and men of the Marines and he is trusted to lead them in accomplishing their mission," De Leon said.

At J8, Buenaventura was instrumental in the formulation of policies, direction, supervision and coordination of all education and training-related concerns, including the joint military exercises with the US and other foreign friendly forces in the country.

Before his elevation to the AFP headquarters, Buenaventura commanded the 3rd Marine Brigade that spearheaded the assault on Camp Abubakar and its capture by government forces. The camp was the main stronghold of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Central Mindanao four years ago.

With his success at Camp Abubakar, Buenaventura was promoted as commanding general of the Marine Forces South before he was elevated to deputy commandant of the Marines.

In his 35-year military career, Buenaventura has received numerous awards and medals including the Distinguished Conduct for Star, the second highest military combat award next only to the Medal of Valor.