New Westmincom chief installed

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday installed a new chief of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).

AFP chief of staff Gen. Iriberri installed Maj. Mayoralgo dela Cruz as Westmincom chief during a turnover ceremony held at Camp Basilio Navarro.

Dela Cruz replaced Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, who will turn 56 years old on Tuesday, the mandatory retirement age for military officials.

Iriberri credited Guerrero for his counter-terrorism operation, particularly against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan and Sulu.

He said Dela Cruz would continue Guerrero’s mission of fighting the Abu Sayyaf.

Dela Cruz, a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1983, was the chief of the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division.

He vowed to continue the efforts laid down by Guerrero to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.