Central Command gets new chief today

CEBU, Philippines - A turnover of command ceremony will be held 9 a.m. today at the Camp Lapu-Lapu grandstand as the commander of the Central Command, Lt. Gen. Isagani Cachuela, is set to step down from service today.

According to a source, Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva, commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division based in Central Luzon, will replace Cachuela.

Major Wilson Feria, spokesperson of CentCom, however refused to confirm the report but disclosed that Villanueva is one of those being considered for the post.

Villanueva is the topnotcher of the Philippine Military Academy class 1978, the source said.

Cachuela, who served as CentCom’s commander since June 20 and will be turning 56 years old on Wednesday, had served in different functions in the Army for 33 years.

Before assuming the post as CentCom chief, Cachuela has served as the 18th commander of  North Luzon Commander (NOLCOM). He graduated from the Philippine Army Academy (PMA) and was commissioned as the 2nd Lieutenant of the Philippine Army in 1976.

Cachuela has said that as ordered by the president, he would continue the campaign against insurgency in the Visayas. According to him, “we would finish this war first semester of 2010,” adding they would heighten their guards and be on the fast track to finish.

He said he will spend all his time with his family after he retires.

He thanked his staff last Monday by presenting them with awards in simple ceremonies at his CentCom office. — Niña G. Sumacot/WAB (THE FREEMAN)