DND welcomes new heads in key AFP commands

MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of new heads of the military’s major commands.

“The DND welcomes the appointment of Maj. Gen. Ernesto C. Torres Jr. as the new commander of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) Northern Luzon Command, vice Lt. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos Jr., and Rear Admiral Alberto B. Carlos as the new chief of the AFP Western Command, vice Vice Admiral Roberto Enriquez,” Lorenzana said.

Torres, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989, is also the head of the Davao de Oro-based 10th Infantry Division and former commander of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP.

He was also head of Joint Task Force Haribon and deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Torres replaces Brig. Gen. Andrew Costelo, who assumed the post in an acting capacity after the retirement of Burgos on December 1 last year.

Carlos, who is the incumbent commander of the Philippine Fleet, is a member of the US Naval Academy Class of 1989. He served as AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics aside from being a ship captain and an aviator.

He will replace Enriquez who will bow out of the service on January 24 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

“Maj. Gen. Torres and Rear Admiral Carlos will take over the helms of the two commands of the AFP tasked with protecting the country’s northern and western frontiers,” Lorenzana said.

He also confirmed the appointment of Maj. Gen. Nestor Herico as Philippine Marines commandant.

Herico will assume the post on February 21, replacing Maj. Gen. Ariel Caculitan upon his retirement.

“As these gentlemen assume their new roles in the organization, I am confident that they will rise to the occasion and effectively lead our troops in securing our nation and our people,” Lorenzana said.

Meanwhile, the AFP also welcomed the appointment of Torres, Herico, Carlos, and two other officials – Army Maj. Gen. William Gonzales and Rear Adm. Rommel Anthony SD Reyes – to key positions in the military, as approved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Gonzales, the commander of the 11th Infantry Division, was designated as The Inspector General (TIG) of the AFP effective January 17.

He replaced Marine Brig. Gen. Joseph Ferrous S. Cuison, who served as the acting TIG after the retirement of Lt. Gen. Franco Nemesio Gacal on December 8.

Meanwhile, Reyes will assume as the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff effective February 25, replacing Vice Adm. Erick Kagaoan upon his retirement.

“These appointments speak of the integrity of the selection system of the AFP, given the outstanding performance and extensive experience of these officers that made them earn the trust of the AFP Board of Generals and the approval of the President to perform the duties and responsibilities entailed in the new positions given them,” AFP spokesperson, Col. Ramon Zagala, said in a statement.