AFP creates new intel command to address security challenges

MANILA, Philippines —  The Armed Forces of the Philippines has created and activated a new AFP Intelligence Command (AIC) tasked to help address what the military referred to as “evolving security challenges.”

The new AIC was activated last Aug. 21 “to enhance the nation’s intelligence capabilities in response to evolving security challenges,” according to AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.

“This renewed establishment addresses the pressing need for a more adaptive and efficient intelligence,” Padilla explained without providing details about the new unit and how it will function.

The AFP revealed the creation of the AIC, which is separate from the Intelligence Service of the AFP currently headed by Maj. Gen. Edmundo Peralta, when it announced yesterday the promotion of 14 generals and senior officers.

Among those that AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. donned new ranks on last Tuesday was Lt. Gen. Ferdinand Barandon, who was identified as “commander of the newly activated Armed Forces Intelligence Command.”

The AFP said the donning-of-ranks ceremony “underscores the AFP’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its leadership structure, ensuring the nation’s security and defense.”

Also promoted were Maj. Gen. Rommel Cordova, deputy chief of staff for plans; Brig. Gen. Constancio Espina, commander of AFP’s communications, electronics and information system service and Brig. Gen. Gerard Velez, commander of the Civil-Military Affairs Brigade of the AFP Reserve Command.

In the Philippine Air Force, those donned new ranks were Lt. Gen. Augustine Malinit, the AFP’s inspector general; Brig. Gen. Paulo Teodoro, assistant superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy and Brig. Gen. Joseph Archog, assistant deputy chief-of-staff for plans.

Among Philippine Navy officers promoted were Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida, the AFP deputy chief-of-staff; Maj. Gen. Simplitus Adecer, the deputy commander of the AIC; Maj. Gen. Ivan Papera, chief of AFP Systems Engineering and Modernization Office; Rear Adm. Felipe Bautista, deputy chief-of-staff for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, targeting acquisition and reconnaissance and Commodore Alex Gianan, assistant deputy chief-of-staff for financial management.

Also donned new ranks were Brig. Gen. Jonna Dalaguit, chief of the AFP Medical Center, and Brig. Gen. Raul Tangco of the 2nd Technical Administrative Service Brigade of the AFP Reserve Command.