New EastMinCom Commander is ‘Right Man for the Job’: AFP Chief

From Kalinaw News (Mar 10, 2021): New EastMinCom Commander is ‘Right Man for the Job’: AFP Chief

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana Jr. expressed confidence and optimism in the leadership of the newly installed Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) MGen. Greg T. Almerol, saying he is the ‘right man for the job.’

Gen. Sobejana made the public pronouncement in his speech during the Change of Command Ceremony held at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) Covered Court, Camp Panacan, Davao City on March 8, 2021.

The AFP Chief of Staff said that MGen. Almerol’s diverse experiences, especially his Intelligence, Combat, and Civil-Military Operation competencies, have been instrumental to his designation to several key military positions in the past including his current designation as EastMinCom Chief.

“MGen. Almerol is a seasoned intelligence officer. He is surely familiar with the security situation in Eastern Mindanao,” Sobejana said. In his assumption speech, EastMinCom Commander MGen. Almerol said he is determined to pursue high-value individuals belonging to the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and asked for multi-sectoral cooperation in dismantling the remaining guerrilla units in Eastern Mindanao.

“The fight against the CTG does not only require pure military actions. We need to collaborate with different Local Government Unit executives. We need everyone to be on board. I believe we can totally eradicate the causes of the communist insurgency,” MGen. Almerol said.

MGen. Almerol also stressed his desire to open all possibilities for a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict but was quick to add that he will never hesitate to use force if there is a compelling reason to do so.

“We should never hesitate to use force against who will disrupt peace. We will strike when innocent civilians are threatened,” he added. He also shared his plans to train more personnel and officers, innovate, and review EastMinCom’s best practices to further improve its war competencies.

Meanwhile, the former EastMinCom Commander LtGen. Jose Faustino Jr and also the incumbent Commanding General of the Philippine Army congratulated MGen. Almerol on his appointment as the new head of EastMinCom. MGen. Almerol assumed several notable positions in the past and is adept in intelligence work, having held the position as Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the AFP.

Before he was appointed as EastMinCom Commander, MGen. Almerol served as the 40th Commander of the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division since September 11, 2020. He was also the Commanding Officer of the 14th Intelligence Service Unit, Intelligence Service Group of the Philippine Army; the Chief of the Central Monitoring Station of the Office Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence (G2), PA; the Intelligence Officer, and the Group Commander of Special Operations Group, Civil Relations Service, AFP.

He was once the Commander of the 60th Infantry Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division (10ID); the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3 of 10ID; Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the AFP Reserve Command; Commander of 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9ID, and the Deputy Commander of Southern Luzon Command, AFP.

He was promoted to the rank of Major General on March 12, 2020.
MGen. Almerol, a Cagayan de Oro lad, began his military career when he entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1985 and graduated as member of the PMA ‘Makatao’ Class of 1989.

MGen Almerol is married to Mrs Lynette Cumara Almerol and they are blessed with three children Greg Jr, who is currently working in Aukland, New Zealand, and Korina Claire and Lester Glen.

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https://www.kalinawnews.com/new-eastmincom-commander-is-right-man-for-the-job-afp-chief/