New ISAFP chief assumes command as Prestoza retires

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has a new spymaster following the assumption of command yesterday of Brig. Gen. Romulo Bambao as chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1979, Bambao took over from Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, who opted to retire early.

Last week, Bambao went to ISAFP to assume command but could not do so since his order had not been officially approved by President Aquino.

Prestoza is among the nine officers affected by the first wave of revamp in the AFP.

The second wave, expected shortly and covering key area and unit commanders, would include the AFP’s National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), the Army and the Marines.

NCRCOM chief Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue said he confirmed his forthcoming ouster as the AFP’s anti-coup commander in Metro Manila.

“I am ready to be relieved. I have packed my things. If told to vacate my post at 8 a.m., by 8:01 a.m., I’m out of my office,” Angue said.

Angue on Wednesday evening bade farewell to his men.

Angue belongs to PMA Class 1978 like Prestoza and retired AFP chief Delfin Bangit.

He is slated to be replaced by another PMA classmate, Maj. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, commander of the 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Samar.

Tabaquero, on the other hand, would be succeeded by Maj. Gen. Vic Felix, the AFP deputy chief of staff for Civil Relations (J7).

Angue, on the other hand, added that he is still weighing his options, possibly taking a leave of absence if he would not be assigned a commensurate position.