Manuel named Army Artillery Regiment acting head

FILE: Philippine Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay Jr., (right) turns over the flag of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) to its new acting commander, Col. Romulo Manuel Jr., (left) in a change-of-command ceremony in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Monday (Feb. 17, 2020). Manuel replaced Brig. Gen. Virgilio Bartolome (middle) who bowed out of the service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Army/Facebook)

MANILA — Col. Romulo Manuel Jr., was appointed as the new acting commander of the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

Manuel replaced Brig. Gen. Virgilio Bartolome in a change-of-command ceremony on Monday led by Philippine Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay Jr.

Bartolome left the military after 36 years of service where he has distinguished himself in the areas of artillery, logistics, and administration. In these fields, he held various command and staff positions.

During his stint as commander in AAR, he also prioritized the welfare and morale of troops.

Manuel, prior to the turnover, was the Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs.

He was a graduate of Business Administration and Public Management at Xavier University and Development Academy of the Philippines, respectively.

He completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course and was sent to the US Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma to take the Captain’s Career Course. Thereafter, he served as the Department Head of the Field Artillery Department of Combat Arms School, Training and Doctrine Command from 2001 to 2003.

In 2005, he served as Military Liaison Officer and Training Adviser respectively outside the country.

“His extensive training and accomplishments guarantee that he will serve with competence and distinction,” Gapay said in a statement.

The AAR is one of the Army units at the forefront of PA modernization which is a line Land Maneuver Concept to address external, internal, and hybrid threats, said Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.

As it is programmed to receive new equipment, the AAR recently created its additional batteries for its incoming multiple launch rocket systems, land-based missile system, air defense artillery, and field artillery.