‘Garci’ officer new Southcom chief

One of the senior military officers mentioned in the "Hello Garci" wiretap recordings controversy has been named the new chief of the military’s Southern Command (Southcom), which covers Mindanao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Generoso Senga told a news conference yesterday of the appointment of Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon as Southcom chief, replacing Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan who will retire today.

Senga also announced the appointment of AFP deputy chief for intelligence Rear Adm. Tirso Danga as the new chief of the Western Command (Wescom) based in Palawan.

Danga will replace Vice Adm. Antonio Domingo who will retire on Feb. 14.

Habacon is among the generals mentioned in the wiretap recordings which supposedly detailed election fraud carried out during the May 10, 2004 elections.

Danga, on the other hand, was chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the supposed source of the wiretap tapes.

ISAFP operatives reportedly tapped the conversations between President Arroyo and and an election official widely believed to he former commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

The wiretap tapes were used by the opposition as evidence of fraud allegedly committed by Mrs. Arroyo during the 2004 elections.

Danga has denied the ISAFP undertook the bugging operations against the President.

The appointments of Habacon and Danga raised a few eyebrows because of their involvement in the "Hello, Garci" controversy.

Senga stressed both officials are highly qualified for the postings.

"Among the three division commanders in Mindanao, Major General Habacon is the most senior," Senga said in explaining Habacon’s appointment.

Senga said he is flying to Zamboanga today to personally install Habacon as the new Southcom commander.

For his part, Adan himself made the announcement before the troops in Zamboanga City, ending weeks of speculation as to who would be the next commander of the biggest military installation outside Manila.

Adan earlier refused to name his possible successor stressing that only the commander-in-chief, Mrs. Arroyo, has the prerogative to appoint the next Southcom chief.

He stressed the appointment of Habacon passed muster with the Board of Generals (BoG) which forwarded the recommendation to the President.

"The appointment of General Habacon was approved and signed by our Commander-in-chief, President Arroyo," Adan stressed.

Adan pointed out Habacon is the most qualified to succeed him as Southcom chief being a veteran commander of the troops in Mindanao.

Habacon is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1973 and will be the 28th Southcom commander. He will serve as Southcom chief for eight months until his retirement on his 56th birthday in September.

Habacon’s designation as Southcom chief also raised concerns of other ranking officials since the position is usually reserved for three-star generals.

Habacon no longer qualifies for promotion to the next rank since under the law, he has less than a year to serve in the military.

Habacon, for his part, said he has not received his appointment but expressed his readiness to take over the command.

Habacon currently commands the 1st Army Division in Western Mindanao and started his military career as a lieutenant in the strife-torn island province of Sulu.

"I was one of the soldiers assigned in 1974 in Sulu where the capital town of Jolo was burned at the height of the conflict," he said.

Habacon served as Adan’s point man in the Southcom in fighting the Abu Sayyaf, communist insurgents and Muslim extremists in the region.

Meanwhile, Senga also announced the appointment of AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Manuel Bagasin as commander of Central Command.

Bagasin will be replacing Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio who is retiring Jan. 21.

Three months ago, Bagasin was expecting to assume the post as Southcom chief but lost to Habacon who reportedly lobbied vigorously for the position.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Romero, chief of Resource Management Office, will be replacing Vice Admiral Ariston delos Reyes as AFP vice chief. De los Reyes is set to retire on Feb. 16, Senga said.

Maj. Gen. Christie Datu, Air Force deputy commander will assume Bagasin’s post.

Senga, however, made no announcement on the replacement for PMA superintendent Lt. Gen. Cristolito Balaoing who is set to retire on Jan. 30.

Senga said the replacements of Danga, Datu, Romero and Habacon would soon be announced once Malacañang has approved the AFP’s recommendation. - With Roel Pareño