LTC Cabunoc assumes as new AFP Public Affairs chief

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 1): LTC Cabunoc assumes as new AFP Public Affairs chief

Lieutenant Colonel Ramon P. Zagala relinquished his post at 9 am today, September 30, as Chief of the Public Affairs Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, capping over a year of service as a spokesperson of the military organization.

The post was relinquished to Lt. Col Harold M. Cabunoc, current Commander of the 7th Civil Relations Group, in a simple ceremony presided by the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Virgilio O. Domingo at the General Headquarters here.

Lt. Col Cabunoc was the former Spokesperson of the Philippine Army and the 9th Infantry Division. A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1994, Lt. Col. Cabunoc is also active in promoting “athlete-soldiers” particularly through his management of the world-renowned Philippine Army Dragonboat Team. He is a recipient of Metrobank Foundation’s The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in 2004.

Since his assumption in May 2013, Lt. Col. Zagala was at the center of various media relations activities, particularly in critical issues that affected the AFP. His first challenge came from the abduction and eventual release of four Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights immediately after his assumption last year.

He also led the public affairs activities during the attack on Zamboanga City in September last year, where he was deployed on the ground during the focused military operations against the rogue MNLF elements.

Lt. Col. Zagala received the Distinguished Service Star in line with his work during the attack on Zamboanga City. He received this award on November 4 last year from President Benigno S. Aquino III.

He was also instrumental in the successful implementation of public affairs activities during the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda; capture of New People’s Army leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon; West Philippine Sea conflict; and the standoff between Filipino peacekeepers and Syrian rebels in Golan Heights.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Cabunoc will relinquish his post as 7th CRG Commander to Major Emmanuel R. Garcia, current 1st CRG commander.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2131412070317