JTF Sulu chief Vinluan next WestMinCom commander

Joint Task Force Sulu chief Major General Corleto Vinluan is designated to be the next commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Monday.

Vinluan replaced Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, who is now the chief of the Philippine Army.

According to AFP spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo, Vinluan has  spearheaded significant combat operations which led to the neutralization of several Abu Sayyaf Group members and foreign terrorists operating in Sulu.

Arevalo said Vinluan is a veteran of the Marawi campaign and other combat operations against terrorist groups from Zamboanga Peninsula to Central Mindanao.

Vinluan belongs to the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General William Gonzales will take the previous post of Vinluan as chief of the Joint Task Force Sulu.

Arevalo said Gonzales was the commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment for two and a half years and the former head of Third Scout Ranger Battalion that operated in Basilan Province.

Gonzales also served as the chief of Unified Command Staff of WestMinCom, Arevalo added.

The change of command ceremony will be held on Tuesday, August 18. AFP chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay will preside over the event. — BM, GMA News