3 retiring Army generals given testimonial honors

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 28): 3 retiring Army generals given testimonial honors

For their long and faithful service to the country, three retiring Philippine Army (PA) generals were given a traditional testimonial review in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Friday.

The three -- Maj. Gen. Rolando Picar, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Resource Management Office; Brig. Gen. Allan Martin, commander of the General Headquarters and Headquarters Service Command of the AFP; and Brig. Gen. Nelia Valmonte, chief nurse of the AFP -- will retire from service in February after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Picar, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sandigan” class of 1982, rendered 38 years and nine months in the military service.

Prior to his current position, he held vital posts in the Philippine Army, such as battalion commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in 2002; assistant chief of staff for operations, G3 of the 6th Infantry Division in 2004; and later as commanding officer of the Finance Center of the Philippine Army.

During Picar’s stint as commander of the 66th Infantry Battalion, he strengthened the unit’s community partnerships and led successful Internal Security operations in Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Sultan Kudarat.

Likewise, Martin is a member of the PMA “Matikas” class of 1983.

He rendered 37 years and nine months in military service and took up key roles in the field while he was in the Army.

He served as battalion commander of the 39th Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division in 2000 and as commander of the 302nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division in 2014.

As commander of the 302nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Martin successfully led the “Bayanihan” team activities, bringing the army closer to the community. Such efforts greatly helped address the insurgency in the provinces of Siquijor, Bohol, and Cebu.

On the other hand, Valmonte is one of the few female star officers of the AFP.

She has a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master’s degree both in nursing and hospital administration.

Prior to Valmonte’s current position, she served as the Army's Chief Nurse.

During her stint, she was named as one of the Outstanding Professionals of 2015 by the Professional Regulations Commission. She worked to improve the Army’s nursing care services and ensured that the Army nurses are capable of providing the best medical and health care services to soldiers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=958984