Bautista confirms major AFP leadership changes this week

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on Monday confirmed that three major military units would undergo leadership changes this week.

Bautista confirmed that Lt. Gen. Rustico Guerrero, the chief of the Palawan-based Western Command (WESCOM), would be named the new commander of the Western Mindanao Command (WESMINCOM) in Zamboanga City.

WESMINCOM plays a critical role in internal security as it secures the area where armed groups like the Abu Sayyaf, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement and the Moro National Liberation Front Misuari faction are operating.

Guerrero will succeed outgoing WESMINCOM chief Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo, who will retire from the service on November 9.

Bautista said Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda, the Air Force general who heads the Cebu-based Central Command (CENTCOM), would assume as WESCOM chief on November 8.

The Palawan-based WESCOM is tasked to secure the country’s territory in the West Philippine Sea.

Succeeding Deveraturda as CENTCOM chief is Maj. Gen. John Bonafos, the outgoing chief of the Special Operations Command, which oversees all the elite Army forces. CENTCOM supervises all the military forces in the Visayas.

Bautista said Guerrero, Deveraturda, and Bonafos are capable officers who are familiar with the areas to be assigned to them.

A member of Philippine Military Academy class ’81, Guerrero was a former commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps and head of the Task Force Comet, the group tasked to run after terrorists in Sulu.

He was also chief of the 1st Marine Brigade based in Basilan, Marine Corps Training Center Superintendent and Marine Corps Chief of Staff.

Deveraturda used to be the chief of the Air Force’s 570th Composite Tactical Wing based in Palawan and commander of the Air Force’s 2nd Division.

He also served as the Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, chief of the Modernization Program Management Office and commander of the Air Force’s 15th Strike Wing.

Bonafos, meanwhile, was camp commander of Camp Aguinaldo before being appointed chief of Special Operations Command. He also led the 802nd Brigade, 8th Infantry Division and the 15th Infantry Battalion.

Other positions he held were Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 2nd and 3rd Infantry Division.