New SOLCOM chief assumes duty at turn-over of command rites

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 6): New SOLCOM chief assumes duty at turn-over of command rites

Newly-appointed Major General Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo assumed Monday as the Commanding General of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) during the turn-over-of-command ceremonies at the Camp General Guillermo Nakar in this city.

The new SOLCOM chief is a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 80 and was commander of 6th Infantry “KAMPILAN” Division (6ID), Philippine Army based in Awang, Dato Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao prior to his new post.

He replaced outgoing SOLCOM chief Major General Nonato Alfredo Peralta while Brig. General Romeo Gapuz will assume the post he has vacated at the 6ID.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista presided over the Change of Command ceremony attended by local government officials, private sector representatives, Quezon Police provincial officials, mistahs and friends.

In his remarks, General Bautista said: “Ordoyo is not new in Southern Luzon as he was assigned with SOLCOM in 1996 as young major then, therefore, he is very familiar with the area.”

On Ordoyo’s credentials, the AFP chief of staff also revealed that “his good military accomplishments made him the best choice for the new post.”

Major General Ordoyo also served as chief of the AFP Intelligence Service and was commanding officer of the 301st infantry brigade.

Citing records from the military headquarters, Major General Ordoyo noted that SOLCOM has achieved far in the maintenance of peace and order and expressed “to build on the confidence I could do as great as what my predecessor has done.”

In his acceptance speech, Ordoyo remarked that SOLCOM cannot do it alone and appealed from supporters and friends “to extend the same support to me and together we will make Southern Luzon a safe place to live for the people.”

Meanwhile, the outgoing SOLCOM commander Major General Peralta currently holds the 2nd Infantry Division command based in Tanay, Rizal and committed his service for the Southern Tagalog region.

Peralta said, “A lot of things are still to be done in Region 4A and 4B and there’s no room to slow down after all these years that we have achieved together” and pledged support to the new SOLCOM chief.

LGUs here expressed optimism of a secured Southern Luzon under his wings with a proven track record in the military service branch.

His PMA class ’80 mistah and contemporaries threw in their support to Ordoyo as a multi-awarded military officer and recipient of the four “Distinguished Service Stars” awarded to a position of major responsibility.

Ordoyo also received seven Bronze Cross Medals, 27 Military Merit Medals and a string of awards and commendations from various military and civilian organizations.

Major General Ordoyo took various military studies and training such as the Scout Ranger Orientation course in April 1980, Basic Airborne Course in November 1980, Military Intel Officer 1982, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course in USAFAS, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, USA in 1991 and Command and General Staff Course in 2001.

He is a “full-blooded Ilonggo” but hailed from Fort Andres Bonifacio, Makati City. He finished his elementary years in Paco Catholic School and completed secondary school at Villamor High School in Pasay City. Ordoyo took a year in BS Statistics at the University of the Philippines, Diliman before he entered PMA.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=504368