Army’s 3rd ID has new commander

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Brigadier General Jon Aying, who started the successful Army Wellness Camp project in Negros Occidental, is back.

This time, Aying, former commander of the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, will assume command of the 3rd Infantry Division today (November 24).

The turnover ceremony will be held at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz, with Army chief Lieutenant General Eduardo Año as the presiding officer, guest of honor and speaker.

Two other predecessors of Aying as commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade and 3rd Infantry Division, respectively, Major General Oscar Lactao and Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, are also being groomed for higher positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines before the year ends, with the retirement of AFP chief of staff General Ricardo Visaya on December 8.

Aying and Lactao, who is the AFP Inspector General, and Guerrero, commanding general of the AFP Eastern Command, are all members of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1984.

Aside from being the 303rd IBde commander, Aying also served as commander of the 61st Infantry Battalion in southern Negros, that used to be also led by Guerrero.

Aying said yesterday he will assume the 3rd ID command, which supervises all the Philippine Army troops in Negros Island Region, Western and Central Visayas, in an acting capacity.

The Wellness Camp project of Aying, when he started as commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, aims to provide training and livelihood opportunities for rebel returnees. It was further developed and adopted for the Youth Summit Leadership training and for the rehabilitation of moderate drug dependents, in coordination with local government units and various government agencies.

Major General Harold Cabreros, who will be replaced by Aying as 3rd ID commander, assumed on November 12 his new position as vice commander of the Philippine Army.

Aying, an Ilonggo, spent more than five years of his military career in Negros. He is presently the deputy AFP chief of staff for Plans (J5). (FREEMAN)