Saturday, November 9, 2013

AFP installs Philippine Marine general as new Westmincom commander

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 9): AFP installs Philippine Marine general as new Westmincom commander

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has installed Saturday a Philippine Marine general to head Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), the headquarters of which is based in this city.

Installed as the new Westmincom commander is Marine Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, replacing Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, who bowed out of military service.

The turnover of command ceremony was presided by Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) command chief Rear Admiral Isabelo Gador, who represented Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista.

In an interview, Guerrero said that his priorities will include the review of the campaign plans set up by higher headquarters to asses where the command stands and enhance security setup, which is aimed to improve contingency planning to be ready for any contingencies in the future.

Guerrero said his command’s support to peace process will be a priority.

Guerrero stressed his designation as Wesmincom chief will not mean the area of its jurisdiction will be filled up by Philippine Marine troops since he is a marine officer.

“I’m coming here as a joint commander. I’m from the Marines, but basically this is a joint headquarters. It is a combination of the Air Force, Navy, and the Army. We will bank on the reliability of the three branches of services.” Guerrero said.

He admitted that commanding the Wesmincom is a big challenge for him citing “almost all threat groups are here.”

“This is the most challenging unified area command in the entire armed forces to handle,” he added.

He urged for the cooperation of all the stakeholders, including the media, so they will be able to accomplish the command’s tasks.

Guerrero is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1981.

Guerrero is the commander of the AFP’s Western Command based in Palawan prior to his installation as the new Westmincom commander.

He has also commanded the Joint Task Force Comet based in Sulu and well as served as the Philippine Marine commandant.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=584954

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