Central Command gets new chief

CEBU, Philippines - Major General John Bonafos of the Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is the new chief of the Central Command in Cebu following the transfer of Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda to the Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan.

Deveraturda was supposed to assume as Wescom commander last November 8 but his transfer was delayed due to super typhoon Yolanda.

He assumed office formally yesterday.

Deveraturda is an Air Force general who heads the Centcom for almost eight months.

With the movement, Wescom chief Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero is now the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincon) in Zamboanga City. He will succeed outgoing Wesmincon chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo who retired from the service on November 9.

Wesmincon secures internal security in the area where armed groups like Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement and the Moro National Liberation Front Misuari faction are operating.

Wescom is also tasked to secure the country's territory in the West Philippine Sea while Centcom supervises military forces in the Visayas.

"This is a lateral movement of all the ordinary soldiers in which our role is to secure our interest in different place of the Philippines and every assignment has an equal responsibility," Deveraturda said.

"It's a great honor and privilege to serve our people in our country even in the most difficult of times and these accomplishments belong to the men and women of Centcom," Deveraturda said.

Deveraturda was the former chief of the Air Force's 570th Composite Tactical Wing based in Palawan and commander of the Air Force's 2nd Division. He also served as the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, chief of the Modernization Program Management Office and commander of the Air Force's 15th Strike Wing.

For his part, Bonafos assured to continue what Deveraturda has started especially in the relief and rehabilitation operations.

"Hindi natin bibitiwan ang security concerns as to protect our brothers at pagsumikapan natin na walang mangyari, iwasan na muna ang kaguluhan sa panahong ito kahit na may pag-galaw pa rin sa kabila," he said.

Bonafos was camp commander at Camp Aguinaldo before he was appointed chief of Special Operations Command. He also led the 802nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division and the 15th Infantry Battalion. He was also an Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Division.

Bautista claimed that all commanders are to continue what the previous commander has started especially in the focus of disaster relief and security operations.

"Meron nang 23rd Engineering Brigade na ipinadala na makatulong sa rehabilitation process sa affected na mga lugar," he said.  (FREEMAN)