Dela Vega is OIC of Wesmincon

From Malaya Business Insight (Apr 17): Dela Vega is OIC of Wesmincon

AN Army general leading the fight against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters has taken over as the officer in charge of the Zamboanga City-based AFP’s Western Mindanao Command, vice incoming AFP chief Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez.

Sixth Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega took over as the OIC of the Wesmincom last Thursday.

Galvez takes over from retiring AFP chief Rey Leonardo Guerrero tomorrow. Guerrero reached the retirement age of 56 last December 17 but his term was extended by President Duterte.

“General Galvez has been out since April 12 so there has to be a general OIC in the absence of the incumbent...This is pending the designation of a permanent (Wesmincom) commander,” said 6th ID spokesman Capt. Arvin Encinas.

Encinas said Dela Vega, a classmate of Galvez at the Philippine Military Academy class 1985, is the OIC of Wesmincom, the largest unified area command of the AFP, in concurrent capacity as commander of the Maguindanao-based 6th ID. 

Dela Vega assumed command as 6th ID chief in January last year and had supervised the continuing military campaign against the BIFF, which the military classifies as a terrorist organization.

The BIFF is composed of about 300 members, mostly former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which signed a peace accord with government in 2014. The BIFF has pledged allegiance with the Islamic State a few years ago.

The 6th ID is one of the Army divisions under the operational control of Wesmincom. The other is the 1st Infantry Division, under Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo of the PMA class 1986, based in Zamboanga del Sur.

Military sources said Dela Vega and Murillo are said to be top contenders to become the full-time Wesmincom commander. Dela Vega is senior in rank. 

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/dela-vega-oic-wesmincon