Philippine Army: One of the first responders in 'Yolanda' disaster

Aside from its usual national security role, the Philippine Army was among the first responders or agencies that gave prompt assistance to the people of Tacloban City, Leyte and other parts of the Visayas who were severely affected by the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" last Nov. 8.

According to Capt. Anthony Bacus, Army spokesperson, the PA deployed 155 military vehicles and 4,000 soldiers to render humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts in Tacloban and other typhoon-affected areas.

He said that major units coming from the 10th and 4th Infantry Divisions based in Mindanao sent battalions of carpenter-soldiers to help rebuild schools, hospitals and other government buildings severely damaged by the super typhoon.

Bacus added that water search and rescue (WASAR)– capable and collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR)– capable teams from the 525th Engineering Battalion were also deployed to Tacloban.

Troopers from the 48th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division; 80th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Special Forces Battalion were also sent as augmentation forces.

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AFP welcomes appointments to various military posts

The Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomes President Benigno Aquino III's appointment of star-rank and senior officers to new positions in the military establishment.

In a press statement, AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa also congratulated the generals and senior officers concerned and asked them to “keep in mind the principles of the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan in their new command posts.”

Among those appointed were Maj. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal, who will sit as The Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS), a post vacated by Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara who is now the commander of the Northern Luzon Command.

Macapagal, currently the Commander of the Philippine Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC), is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Mapitagan Class of 1980.

He also commanded the PAF 410th Maintenance Wing and was the deputy commander of the 3rd Air Division.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, dubbed AFP’s third highest post, requires outstanding management and administrative acumen.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Edgardo Samonte is set to replace Maj. Gen. Macapagal when he relinquishes the AETC post.

The outgoing Chief of Air Staff, PAF, BGen Samonte was also the Commander of the 15th Strike Wing and the 520th Air Base Wing (ABW).

He will be replaced by BGen. Raul Dimatatac, the current 506th Air Base Wing (ABW) Commander, for the Chief of Air Staff post.

Several senior officers were also designated to key positions in the military organization.

Col. Rene Santos will replace BGen. Dimatatac as the 506th ABW commander.

His post as Deputy Commander of the National Capital Regional Command (NCRCOM) will then be assumed by Col. Manuel Ramiro, the current Deputy Commander of the National Development Support Command.

Col. Bobby Calleja, the current Inspector General of the 2nd Infantry Division, will assume command of the 203rd Infantry Battalion.

NCRCOM’s Chief of Staff Col. Vic Castro will then assume as Commander of 702nd Infantry Brigade. Col. Rolando Malinao will now command the 803rd Infantry Commander after serving as its deputy under Col. Oscar Lopez, who recently assumed his post as Chief of the AFP Management and Fiscal Office.

Lastly, Col. Ernesto Cimatu will assume as Chief of the AFP Chaplain Service after his stint as chief air force chaplain. He will replace BGen. Rosalindo Acacio Jr who recently retired from the service.

“In line with your new positions, make use of your experiences and remain dedicated in building a more professional, effective and accountable military organization. The Filipinos deserve and expect an outstanding service from each one of us. Let us give them what they expect with full determination and commitment for excellence,” Dellosa said.


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LBG | GMA News Online | March 16, 2012 | Article Link