Ranking military commanders get new stars

FILE: AFP (PNA Photo)

MANILA — Commanders of the Cebu-based Central Command (CENTCOM) and Lucena-headquartered Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) formally donned their third star during short ceremonies Thursday.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero spearheaded the ceremonies at the Hall of Flags, General Headquarters Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Major Gen. Paul Atal, CENTCOM head, is now promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Also promoted to three-star rank is SOLCOM commander Major Gen. Danilo Pamonag, AFP spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

Also promoted to Major Generals were Brig. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2; Brig. Gen. Rene Glen Paje, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7; and Brig. Gen. Jose Antonio Carlos Motril, Chief of the AFP Human Rights Office.

While Col. Joseph Villanueva, the Head of the Headquarters Academics Group, Philippine Military Academy, is promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

The ad-interim appointment of named Generals was approved by the Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Duterte last Dec. 18.

“The promotion to the next higher rank as General of these senior officers of the AFP is both a testimony and an inspiration that hard work and innumerable sacrifices, sterling competence, and leadership skills acquired through years of experience are rewarded,” Arevalo added.

“These Generals contributed immensely to the successful accomplishment of AFP’s mission in Marawi, at the Philippine Military Academy, at the General Headquarters, and in Northern Luzon,” he stressed. (PNA)