Lt. Gen. Bagasin is new Central Command chief

Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Samuel Bagasin will formally assume today as new commanding general of the Central Command based here in Cebu, replacing Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio set to retire from the military service.

The testimonial parade for the commander of the Central Command and turnover of command ceremony will be held at the grand stand of Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City with AFP chief of staff, Gen. Generoso Senga as presiding officer.

Bagasin was the former 4th Infantry Division commander based in Cagayan de Oro.

He told reporters yesterday that this is his first assignment in the Visayas area.

Bagasin was highly recommended as the supposed commander of the 27th Southern Command by the Board of Generals to replace retired Southcom head Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza.

But President Arroyo, as commander-in-chief, reportedly turned down his appointment, and instead placed deputy chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan as officer-in-charge of Southcom until his retirement last January 11.

The Southern Command is the largest and most important of the AFP unified commands. It is sometimes a "stepping stone" to the position of AFP chief of staff. - Gregg M. Rubio