Dela Cruz, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class 1983, will replace Lieutenant General Rustico Guerrero (PMA “Dimalupig” Class ’81) who will bow out of service for reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Dela Cruz’s promotion as Westmincom commander was a “walk in the park” because of his extensive familiarity in Mindanao before he was elevated commander of the Army’s Mechanized Infantry Division.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is awarding the Legion of Honor to Guerrero. His leadership at Westmincom, however, was questioned when his command just watched in the sidelines as Moro rebels and criminals clashed with 44 members of the police’s Special Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
The SAF men were in a mission to arrest international terrorist Malaysian national Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan when ambushed by hundreds of armed men from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, and other armed groups in a day-long firefight.
A native of Bocaue, Bulacan, Dela Cruz was the first brigade commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and served as battalion commander in two different battalions under the Philippine Army.
His military experience includes Scout Ranger Course, Basic Airborne Course, Armor Officer Course, Military Intelligence Officer Course, Command and General Staff Course, Regimental Officer Advance Course in Australia, Dynamics of International Terrorism Course at US Air Force Special Operations School in Florida, USA, Regional Defense Counter-terrorism fellowship program at the National Defense University, Washington DC, USA, 1st Asia Pacific Program for Senior National Security Officers at Rajaratnam of International Studies in Singapore and International counter-terrorism Fellows Bangkok Symposium at the National Defense University, Thailand.
Dela Cruz is holder of awards and recognitions such as Distinguished Service Stars, 6 Bronze Cross Medals, 28 Military Merit Medals with anahaw and spearhead devices, 9 Military Civic Action Medals, Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal, Gawad sa Kaunlaran, Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals and Ribbons, Luzon and Mindanao-Sulu Campaign Medal and Ribbons, Long Service Medals, 5 Military Commendation Medals and numerous military commendation medals, plaques of recognition and letters of commendation.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/news/-provinces/192521/-steel-warrior-westmincom-s-new-commander.html
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