Ranger officer is new AFP operations chief

From Malaya Business Insight (Feb 22, 2023): Ranger officer is new AFP operations chief (By Victor Reyes)

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr has designated a Scout Ranger officer, who once led operations against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf in Basilan, as operations chief of the Armed Forces.

Brig. Gen. Fernando Reyeg assumed his new post as AFP deputy chief of staff for operations (J3) during rites at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday.

Reyeg replaced Brig. Gen. Glenn Jun Calambuhay who had been serving as acting J3 in concurrent capacity as assistant J3, since last January after the then J3, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera, assumed the post of commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao del Sur.

Reyeg, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1991, served as assistant AFP deputy chief of staff for education, training and doctrine and as commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan and concurrent commander of the 104th Brigade from July 2018 to July 2020.

The task force is leading the fighting against the Abu Sayyaf in Basilan.

AFP Western Mindanao spokesman Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan said the Abu Sayyaf’s membership in Basilan is already at a “minimal” level.

Reyeg also served as commander of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion; chief of the Readiness and Organization Division and Plans, Policy, and Programs Division at the Office of J3 (OJ3); chief of staff of 6th Infantry Division; and chief of the Unified Command Staff of AFP Western Mindanao Command.

AFP deputy chief of staff Vice Adm. Rommel Anthony Reyes noted the crucial role of J3 in internal and external defense operations and in humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

“Managing such demanding and critical office necessitates excellent leadership and managerial skills, profound knowledge, and broad experience,” said Reyes who presided over the assumption rites.

“To Brig. Gen. Reyeg, your new position equates to new responsibilities. I know that you shall continue to steer the OJ3 into greater horizons as the center of the AFP’s security and stability campaign… with you and Brig. Gen Calambuhay at the lead,” added Reyes.

https://malaya.com.ph/news_news/ranger-officer-is-new-afp-operations-chief/