Seven soldiers promoted

MANILA, Philippines - The Army announced yesterday the promotion of seven senior officers even as the military aims to defeat the communist rebels before the term of President Arroyo ends next year.

Mrs. Arroyo approved the promotions of the chief of the military’s training command, two brigade commanders, an assistant division commander and the commander of the elite Scout Rangers.

Promoted to the rank of major general were Anthony Alcantara, commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC); Ireneo Espino, chief of staff of the Army; and Hilario Atendido, AFP deputy chief of staff for education and training (J8).

Alcantara and Espino are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979 while Atendido belongs to PMA Class 1977.

Promoted to brigadier general were Emmanuel Amat, deputy division commander of the 3rd Infantry Division; Rey Ardo, commander of 103rd Brigade of the 3rd ID; Romeo Fajardo, commander of the 502nd Brigade of the 5th Infantry Division; and Noel Coballes, commander of the Scout Rangers of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

Amat and Coballes belong to PMA Class 1980, Ardo with Class 1981 and Fajardo with Class 1979.