Leadership changes in key military units seen this week

MANILA, Philippines - Changes in command in critical military units will take effect this week with the retirement of a senior officer handling a key post.

Sources said among the units to be affected by the changes are the Zamboanga City-based Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) and the Palawan-based Western Command (WESCOM),

The WESMINCOM deals directly with the Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement and the supporters of Nur Misuari while WESCOM is tasked to protect the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, the outgoing WESMINCOM chief and a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class ‘81, will retire from the service on Nov. 9.

Sources said Ardo will be succeeded by Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, the commander of WESCOM.

“General Guerrero knows the ground very well,” a military officer who requested anonymity said.

“Mindanao has been a home to him for a long time in his entire career and we have two Marine brigades.”

Guerrero, also a graduate of class ‘81, was a former commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps and head of Task Force Comet, the group tasked to run after terrorists in Sulu.

He was also commander of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Basilan, Marine Corps Training Center superintendent and Marine Corps chief of staff.

Sources said Guerrero will be succeeded as WESCOM chief by Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, current commander of the Cebu-based Central Command (CENTCOM).

Guerrero is expected to turn over the WESCOM on Nov. 8.

Deveraturda, sources said, is a logical choice for the post due to his familiarity with areas in the West Philippine Sea.

Deveraturda was a former chief of the Air Force’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing based in Palawan. He was also assigned to the area during his younger years.

“He conducted patrols in the West Philippine Sea during his years as junior officer,” a source said.

Deveraturda was CENTCOM commander when a magnitude 7.2 quake hit the Central Visayas and left more than 200 persons dead.

He was one of the military officials who supervised the rescue and relief operations in the earthquake-hit areas.