Kalinaw News: WestMinCom holds retirement ceremony for retiring commander

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 24, 2021): WestMinCom holds retirement ceremony for retiring commander



Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – August 24, 2021

The Western Mindanao Command held a retirement ceremony in honor of Lieutenant General Corleto Santos Vinluan, Jr., its retiring commander.

Lieutenant General Vinluan, Jr. relinquished his post after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. He has served as commander of the unit for a year and six days.

During his stint as the commander of the WestMinCom, he was able to send hundreds of internally displaced families back to their respective homes in Sulu. An influx in the capitulations of local and communist terrorist group members was also reported. Overall, the command has reached greater heights in the campaigns against terrorism, violent extremism, and lawlessness in central and western Mindanao under the leadership of Lieutenant General Vinluan, Jr.

In his speech, Lieutenant General Vinluan, Jr. expressed his gratitude to all the officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resources of the command for their contributions to his successful stint as the commander of WestMinCom.

“I wish to commend the hard work and dedication of all the soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines of the Western Mindanao Command. I also offer my successes to my fallen comrades-in-arms,” said Lieutenant General Vinluan, Jr.

He also thanked the Commander-in-Chief, his mentors, family, friends, stakeholders, partners, and all those who have been part of his successful journey in the military service.

In the same event, Major General Generoso Ponio took over as the Acting Commander of the WestMinCom while waiting for confirmation of orders of the incoming commander.

Major General Ponio is the current commander of the 1st Infantry Division and Joint Task Force ZamPeLan. He also previously served as the deputy commander for operations of the Western Mindanao Command.

The Acting Commander said, “It is truly an honor of a lifetime to be given this trust and confidence to serve as the General Officer-in-Charge of the Western Mindanao Command.”

“I am blessed because I received a unit from a great man whose wisdom and leadership has steered this command to greater heights,” said Major General Ponio.

Lieutenant General Jose Faustino, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, presided over the ceremony virtually.

In his message, Lieutenant General Faustino, Jr. commended Lieutenant General Vinluan, Jr. for his incredible leadership to the WestMinCom that reflected on his numerous accomplishments including the neutralization of the hardcore leaders and members of the different threat groups.

“He demonstrated excellence and professionalism at its finest. His accomplishments bespeak of his competence,” said Lieutenant General Faustino, Jr.

All three generals are members of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988.

Meanwhile, during the ceremony, Lieutenant General Vinluan, Jr. was awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor in recognition of his valuable and meritorious service to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the country as a whole.

He was also conferred with the Plaque of Honorable Service in recognition of his 37 years, five months, and 13 days of faithful and honorable service to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The momentous occasion was graced by the presence of former Chief of Staff, Retired General Cirilito Sobejana, the local chief executives of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, and the officers and personnel of the Western Mindanao Command and its subordinate units.

Other guests attended the occasion virtually.

https://www.kalinawnews.com/westmincom-holds-retirement-ceremony-for-retiring-commander/