Marine commandant named Wescom chief

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday officially designated Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero as the new commander of the Palawan-based Western Command (Wescom), a key military outfit that has operational jurisdiction over the West Philippine Sea to include the country’s regime of islands in the hotly-contested Spratly’s archipelago.

Guerrero, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1981, will assume command of the Wescom next month replacing Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban of PMA class 1979.

Sabban, a seasoned marine officer headed the government’s anti-terror campaign in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi that resulted in the neutralization of key Abu Sayyaf leaders to include Aldam Tilao alias Abu Sabaya, is retiring on Monday.

He played a highly pro-active role in guarding the country’s maritime domain against incursions of foreign forces into the country’s exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Guerrero’s designation as Wescom commander, meanwhile, triggered movements in the military’s command echelon with designation of Brig. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, chief of the AFP Command Center, as the new Marine commandant. Tanalgo belongs to the PMA “Matikas” Class of 1983.

Replacing Tanalgo as the new commander of the AFP Command Center is Col. Oscar Lactao of PMA Class of 1984. Lactao is the current commander of the Philippine Army's 303rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Brigade.

Col. John Aying, will replace Lactao as the commander of the 303rd Brigade. He is currently Lactao’s deputy commander and mistah (classmate).

Other designations

The AFP also announced the reassignment of Brig. Gen. Cesar Dionisio Sedillo of PMA class 1981 as chairman of the GRP-MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities. He will be handing over his post as assistant 6th Infantry division commander to Brig. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, commander of the Bicol-based 901st Infantry Brigade.

Col. Raul Farnacio of PMA Class 1985 and the incumbent chief of staff of the Cebu-based Central Command (Centcom) will assume as new commander of 901st Infantry Brigade.

On the other hand, Navy Capt. Virgilio Garcia was designated as the Naval Internal Auditor. His position as deputy for the Naval Inspector General has been assigned to Navy Capt. Joel Dela Cruz.

Navy Capt. Jorge Amba, the deputy chief of staff for naval operations (N-3), has been reassigned as assistant commandant and dean of Academics, AFP Command and General Staff College, a position occupied by Brig. Gen. Glorioso Miranda who was designated as commander of the General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command (HHSC) .

Col. Marcial Constante Jr., was designated as the AFP Provost Marshall General replacing Brig. Gen. Herbert Yambing. Constante is the incumbent group commander of the Philippine Task Force Bantay and is a member of PMA Class of 1984.

“These changes are part and parcel of its thrust to maintain a professional and credible military organization. These new appointments are expected to contribute to the AFP’s continuous upward movement and progressive changes as it copes with the ever-changing security environment of the country,” Burgos said.