Herico is new Marines commandant — Lorenzana

Major General Nestor Herico is the new commandant of the Philippine Marines, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday.

“The DND confirms the assumption of MGEN Nestor Herico as the Commandant of the Philippine Marines,”  Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement.

In a separate statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Herico will assume the position on February 21, 2022 and replace Major General Ariel Caculitan, who is set to retire.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988, Herico was named Navy vice commander in June last year.

He also served as the head of the Joint Task Force Peacock and Commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, which are both instrumental in safeguarding vital installations in Palawan, according to the Navy.

Meanwhile, Lorenzana also welcomed the appointment of Major General Ernesto Torres Jr. as the new commander of the AFP Northern Luzon Command and Rear Admiral Alberto Carlos as the new chief of the AFP Western Command.

“As these gentlemen assume their new roles in the organization, I am confident that they will rise to the occasion and effectively lead our troops in securing our nation and our people,” Lorenzana said. — RSJ, GMA News