Solcom head named AFP vice chief

MANILA, Philippines - Lt. Gen. Alan Luga, chief of the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based in Camp Nakar in Lucena City, was appointed vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

A retired military official was also designated as acting executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to replace Benito Ramos who had resigned.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Luga will replace Lt. Gen. Noel Cobbales, who was earlier appointed Philippine Army chief while former Army Maj. Gen. Eduardo del Rosario, who headed the rescue team that oversaw the search for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo after his plane crashed off Masbate last August, will be the new NDRRMC chief and acting administrator of the Office of Civil Defense.

Luga was a classmate of AFP chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1981.

He already got his third star rank along with Vice Admiral Edgar Abogado, commander of the Central Command based in Cebu City.

At least three contenders are vying for the Solcom post namely: 8th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Gerardo Layug, 6th ID commander Maj. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo, and 1st ID commander Maj. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz.

Meanwhile, Ramos’ resignation took effect on Feb. 1. He said he wanted to take care of his ailing wife and submitted his resignation to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Del Rosario, who retired from the AFP in November last year as commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal, said he was prepared to be reactivated and to face scrutiny on his background.

A member of PMA Class 1980, Del Rosario once headed the AFP’s Civil Military Relations Service.

Ramos himself confirmed that Gazmin recommended Del Rosario to replace him at the NDRRMC.

Del Rosario, who already went to the NDRRMC head office for an “orientation” even before his formal appointment, acknowledged that he has big shoes to fill.

Ramos, also a former military man who became the “darling of the press” for being accessible to media, said he was looking forward to spending time with family.

He said Del Rosario is well equipped to take over as head of the NDRRMC. He said he worked with Del Rosario when the latter was junior officer at the elite Special Forces in Mindanao.

“I’d like to thank everyone... I was not perfect but when there were calamities, I did my duty and if ever I was amiss, I apologize,” Ramos said.