Retirement of 3 AFP execs to trigger major revamp

MANILA, Philippines - The retirement next month of three military officers, including the commander of the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) that quelled the recent siege by Moro National Liberation Front rebels, is expected to trigger a major revamp in the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Bowing out of the military service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 are Lt. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal, AFP deputy chief of staff; Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, Westmincom commander; and Maj. Gen. Nonato Alfredo Peralta, commanding general of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal.

A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1980, Macapagal is slated to retire on Nov. 7, while Ardo, of PMA Class of 81, is bowing of the service on Nov. 9 and Peralta, of PMA Class 1979, on Nov. 25.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said the selection process has started but he is not aware yet who are the contenders to the posts to be vacated by Macapagal, Ardo and Peralta.

Ardo and Peralta’s posts are considered highly critical and are directly involved in internal security operations.

In Ardo’s case, his unit is directly dealing with the Abu Sayyaf bandits, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and the MNLF faction loyal to Nur Misuari.

Westmincon spearheaded the operations against Misuari’s MNLF forces that attacked Zamboanga City last Sept. 9.

The fighting that lasted for over 20 days resulted in the death of more than 200 MNLF fighters with 25 government troops and 13 civilians killed in the clashes that also forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 residents. 

Peralta’s 2nd ID, aside from its role as a second line of defense to shield Metro Manila from any security threats, is also involved in internal security operations against communist insurgents in Southern Tagalog.

Being the number three man in the AFP command core, Macapagal is leaving a highly sensitive position handling the administrative aspect of the military and steering the command and control of the entire AFP.