Noynoy names bemedalled Ortiz as new Army chief

President Benigno Aquino III named on Tuesday bemedalled Special Operations Command (Socom) chief Maj. Gen. Arturo Ortiz as the new head of the Philippine Army, in the second wave of reshuffling of military posts since he assumed the role of commander-in-chief. Ortiz, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matapat" Class of 1979, will replace Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, who will become vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Ortiz was a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the highest military decoration for bravery and gallantry in combat, conferred to him by President Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino. He is the first recipient of this honor to become Army chief. The 54-year-old Ortiz is also a recipient of four Distinguished Service Stars, three Gold Cross Medals, four Bronze Cross Medals, four Military Merit Medals for Combat, and 17 Military Merit Medals for Administration, Military Commendation Medals, Letters of Commendation and Appreciation, and various campaign medals and ribbons. Special Forces Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Roberto Morales will take over Ortiz’s Socom post. Morales will be replaced by Col. Aminkadra Undog, who is now detailed with the Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP). Mapagu (PMA class 1978) will take the place of Maj. Gen. Hilario Atendido (PMA class 1977), who had been acting AFP vice chief on top of his job as AFP deputy chief of staff for education and training since Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa (PMA class 1977) opted for early retirement effective Monday. AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday that all the recent appointments “have the approval of the President" that should not be “maligned or given any politicized meaning." David, who was named AFP chief before Aquino took oath on June 30, likewise said that the designations were made based on “performance and track records." “The AFP’s best players will be put in the frontlines in order to keep up the steady momentum in accomplishing its goals. The AFP remains solid and is focused to perform its immediate tasks and responsibilities to the people and the nation," he said in the statement. More reshuffling Army inspector general Brig. Gen. Rolito Abad (PMA class ’78), meanwhile, was designated as the AFP’s internal auditor, replacing Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista (PMA class 1981) who was designated in the first wave of Aquino appointments as AFP deputy chief of staff for operations. To replace Abad as Army inspector general is Army chief of staff Maj. Gen. William Campos (PMA class 1980). In turn, the new Army chief of staff is Army Resource Management Office chief Brig. Gen. Renato David (PMA class 1979), a younger brother of AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David. Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza (PMA class 1978), 10th Infantry Division chief, was designated as chief of the National Development Support Command, which Ochoa had headed in concurrent capacity as acting AFP vice chief. Holganza would be succeeded by 2nd Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia (PMA class 1980). The new 2nd ID chief will be Brig. Gen. Jessie Dellosa (PMA class 1979), the outgoing deputy chief of the AFP Central Command. The order did not say who is going to replace Dellosa. AFP Civil Relations Service (CRS) chief Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz (PMA class 1979) was named as the new AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence, replacing Rear Admiral Emmanuel Victor Martir (PMA class 1978) who the military said is being groomed to head a "very high position" in the AFP. Aquino had earlier assigned as incoming CRS chief Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta (PMA class 1981), who is also concurrent AFP spokesman. Now that Cruz has been given a new assignment, Mabanta now fully assumes the post of CRS chief. To take over as Socom deputy commander is Army 403rd Brigade chief Col. Nicanor Dolojan (PMA class 1981). His current post will be taken by Col. Romulo Bambao (PMA class 1979) who was previously designated as ISAFP chief as replacement for Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza (PMA class 1978). Prestoza had earlier filed for early retirement.—ACC/JV, GMANews.TV