CentCom honors new flag officers

CEBU, Philippines - The Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines led by its commander, Lt. General Isagani Cachuela, yesterday gave military traditional honor to the six newly promoted flag officers at Central Command quadrangle at the Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City.

The six new flag officers are Brig. Gen. Rolando C. Hautea Jr., Wing Commander, 220th Airlift Wing; Brig. Gen. Emmanuel I. Amat, Assistant Deputy Commander, 3rd ID; Brig. Gen. Lauro Catalino G. Dela Cruz, Wing Commander, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing; Brig. Gen. Edgardo C. Mendoza, Wing Commander 560th ABW, PAF; Commodore Honorio Robert E. Balanon Jr., Commander, Naval Forces Central and Brig. Gen. Isidoro T. Macaranas, Vice Commander, 2nd Air Division, PAF.

The six newly promoted officials expressed their appreciation to Cachuela for giving them honor, adding it is the first time that Centcom did such kind of activity, which they appreciated most.

Cachuela said it is just fitting to give honor and recognize the respective achievements of the newly promoted officials because it is not easy to have that rank.

Before they got that rank, he said they have undergone scrutiny by the Senate and the Commission on Appointments.

The CentCom chief also asked the newly promoted officials to give their impromptu speech “for them to realize that they are in the limelight already so they must be prepared in any way.”

Meanwhile, Cachuela said that while people in Manila are busy on political issues, the CentCom would not join any political matter and would instead focus on their campaign against insurgency.

However, he added that they have their right to vote but not to the extent to join any political issues. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)