Military picks new Solcom commander

A military class top-notcher noted for his competence has been named new commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

Major General Gilbert Gapay assumed the post Tuesday, replacing Lieutenant  General Danilo Pamonag who reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

"He (Gapay) is the topnother of his PMA (Philippine Military Academy) class," said AFP public affairs chief Colonel Noel Detoyato. "He is very competent administrative and operations officer."

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, Gapay was commander of the Army's Mechanized Infantry Division (MID) before being picked to lead Solcom, which is based in Camp General Nakar in Lucena City.

Pamonag, meanwhile, is a member of the PMA Class of 1985.

As Solcom commander, Gapay will oversee anti-insurgency operations in Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Bicol region.

Detoyato said Gapay's designation so far is merely acting Solcom commander because his papers have yet to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, the military's commander-in-chief. —KBK, GMA News