PNoy appoints ex-generals as DND senior execs

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has appointed two retired generals as senior officials of the Department of National Defense (DND).

Former Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan has been named Undersecretary for Civil, Veterans and Retiree Affairs while former Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief Felicito Trinidad has been appointed Assistant Secretary for Human Resources.

They took their oath of office before DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in Camp Aguinaldo last Tuesday.

During the event, Gazmin asked the two former generals to use their knowledge to contribute to the transformation of the DND.

Millan and Trinidad are graduates of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandigan” class of 1982.

Millan, who bowed out of the military service last August, replaced former Defense Undersecretary Eduardo Batac, a former Air Force colonel who resigned from his post last July allegedly due to health reasons.

He was named 34^th chief of the country’s naval forces on April 30, 2014.

Millan has commanded several ships and has received various military awards including the Distinguished Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Star and Bronze Cross. He is also a recipient of the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander) award and was recognized as one of The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in 2007.

Other military posts he held include commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Chief of Naval Staff and chief of the Naval Reserve Command.

Trinidad, meanwhile, replaced DND Assistant Secretary Efren Fernandez, who now handles the agency’s acquisition, installations and logistics office.

Trinidad served as the overall military ground commander during the Zamboanga crisis in 2013.

He commanded the 1^st Infantry Division in Zamboanga del Sur before assuming as chief of the Tarlac-based Northern Luzon Command.

He also served as the commander of the 14^th Infantry Battalion, Assistant Army Chief of Staff for Plans and Policy, and Assistant Division Commander of the 1^st Infantry Division.

He has a Masters in Business Administration degree from De La Salle University and had trainings abroad in political warfare, strategic planning, defense resources management, command and general staff training and doctrines, national security and military and peacekeeping operations.