Joint TF Sulu commander takes charge of AFP's Command and General Staff College

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 21): Joint TF Sulu commander takes charge of AFP's Command and General Staff College

Joint Task Force Sulu commander Brig. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega has been relieved of his present command to take charge of the Armed Forces of the Philippines- Command and General Staff College (AFP-CGSC), AFP public affairs Col. Edgardo Arevalo said in a press briefing Monday.

Dela Vega, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, replaced Major Gen. Rodolfo Santiago, a member of PMA Class of 1982, who formally retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 today, November 21.

The former took command of Joint Task Force Sulu early this year and is instrumental for the success of the ongoing offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group in the said province.

Prior to his assignment as CGSC head, Santiago also served as AFP Communications, Electronic, and Information Service deputy commander; Civil Military Operations assistant deputy chief-of-staff; and head of the defunct National Development Support Command.

As CGSC head, Santiago was tasked to ensure that AFP officers, senior non-commissioned officers, and senior civilian defense personnel are educated to take high command and staff responsibilities.

Since his assumption of the CGSC’s helm two years ago, Santiago focused on sustaining partnerships and cooperation with other military and civilian educational institutions in and out of the country.

These partnerships include the Australian Command and Staff College, Military Academy of the German Armed Forces, Defense Service Command and Staff College of Sri Lanka, Nigerian Armed Forces and Staff College, Indonesian Air Force Command and Staff College, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Joint Staff College.

Locally, the CGSC has extensive partnerships with the Development Academy of the Philippines, The Manila Observatory, and the Ateneo De Manila University.

Meanwhile, Dela Vega comes in equipped with field experience and academic accomplishments.
Dela Vega was the Chairman of the Government of the Philippines Ad Hoc Joint Advisory Group, a peace mechanism in the talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He also served as the 6th Infantry Division assistant division commander; 603rd Infantry Brigade commander; and Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense.

Dela Vega earned his Master’s Degree in the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defense Force Academy in Australia and finished his Command and General Staff Course in the Philippine Army earlier in his career.

“For the past couple of years, Major Gen. Santiago worked hard to the continued success of the College, characterized by the advancement of the institution as a world leader in higher military education,” AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo R Visaya said.

“Major Gen. Santiago’s accomplishments steered the College to the right direction, and we can expect that Brig.Gen. Dela Vega as an experienced military officer will take the CGSC further and closer to its envisioned future, providing the country with highly capable and effective leaders,” he added.

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