Major AFP reshuffle starts

A major reshuffle in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has started with the designation of senior officers to command staff and other key military positions.

Initially affected by changes are the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), the deputy AFP chief for intelligence (J-2), the deputy AFP chief for plans and programs (J-5), the AFP deputy chief for civil-military operations (J-7), the AFP Civil Relations Service and the Headquarters Support Service (HSS).

Following the recommendations of the top brass to President Arroyo, AFP J-2 chief Maj. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang was reassigned as commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Northern Samar.

Its former commander, Maj. Gen. Bonifacio Ramos, was transferred to head the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) at Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac.

Maclang, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976, was one of the key players that foiled the Feb. 24 coup plot against Mrs. Arroyo.

Taking over Maclang’s post as AFP deputy chief for intelligence is his classmate, Commodore Leonardo Calderon, the incumbent ISAFP chief.

Calderon, meanwhile, will be replaced by Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Bangit, brother of former Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit.

A former senior military aide to the President, Calderon is the younger brother of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Calderon.

The Calderon brothers are considered as the President’s most trusted men, being her relatives.

On the other hand, Bangit’s posting as ISAFP chief — the intelligence arm of the AFP — came as a surprise as his last assignment was with the AFP’s Corps of Engineers.

An insider though clarified Delfin Bangit, not his brother, Reynaldo, has been designated as their new chief.

"Baka nagkamali lang sila (Board of Generals) sa paglagay ng pangalan," the ISAFP official said, adding the former PSG chief is slated to assume the post next month.

Unlike his brother, Reynaldo who is presently assigned at the Army’s 53rd Engineering Brigade, Delfin has long been groomed to head the AFP’s elite intelligence unit.

Army Inspector General (IG) Maj. Ferdinand Bocobo, of PMA Class 74 and "mistah" (classmate) of AFP chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, has been designated as J-5 chief. Bocobo’s replacement, however, has yet to be named by the Board of Generals.

Bocobo headed the Army investigating panel that recommended the filing of charges against 25 Army Scout Ranger officers and 125 enlisted personnel over their reported role in the failed coup.

Bocobo is taking over from J-5’s outgoing chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Alamillo, whose next assignment is yet to be known. The J-5 is the military’s think thank whose tasks, among other things, include matters involving military finances.

Brig. Gen. Jaime Buenaflor, the current chief of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service (CRS) has been designated as deputy chief for civil-military operations (J-7), a post which has been vacant for quite sometime.

Taking over Buenaflor’s post as CRS chief is Commodore Amable Tolentino.

On the other hand, Brig. Gen. Alfredo Cayton Jr. has been designated as AFP-HSSC commander replacing Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, who assumed a new post in the Army.

As the new HSSC commander, Cayton has overall responsibility of the AFP headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.

Esperon is expected install any day now these officers to their respective new posts.