Nine senior military officers given new assignments

MANILA, Philippines - Nine senior military officers were given new positions in the latest wave of reassignments at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said President Aquino approved the new appointments last Nov. 30.

“These appointments underwent legal and tedious procedures to come up with a list of recommendations from the Board of Generals and subsequently approved by the President,” Burgos said in a statement.

“The rigid appointment process in the military organization is being observed at all times to ensure that the best key players of the AFP are placed in most important positions in the organization,” he added.

Among the officers who were given new assignments was Rear Adm. Alexander Pama, who was named Navy vice commander.

Pama, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class 1979, served as Naval Inspector-General before being appointed as the Navy’s second highest officer.

Replacing him as Naval Inspector-General is Commodore Ramiro Alivio, former Marine Combat Service Support Brigade commander.

Alivio was replaced by Brig. Gen. Mario Montejo.

Brig. Gen. Cesar Yano, the former chief of the AFP legislative affairs office, is now the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the United States.

Other officers who were moved to other posts were: Col. Remigio Valdez who is now the 3rd Marine Brigade Commander from being the executive officer of the deputy chief of staff for Education and Training; Col. Joselito Avanceña, former Navy chief surgeon, now commander of the AFP Medical Center; Col. John Bonafos, now commander of the 802nd Brigade from being the Army chief of staff for Education and Training; and Col. Lysander Suerte, former chief of staff of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division and now the commander of the 1003rd Brigade.

Also included was Col. Domingo Tutaan Jr., who was named chief of the AFP Human Rights Office from being the 1003rd Brigade commander.

Burgos said the new wave of reassignments is in line with the efforts to thwart security threats and the implementation of a new defense campaign that will take effect next year.

“In order to keep up with the changes in the security environment and maintain the momentum in its daily operations against security threats and lawless groups, the AFP’s leadership has to field in their best players at the forefront,” Burgos said.