Noy leads oathtaking of promoted military officers

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino swore in newly promoted generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces in simple ceremonies at Malacañang yesterday.

Joining him were Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista and Defense Undersecretary Honorio Azcueta.

Leading the 17 newly promoted generals was Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri.

A major general when he was named 56th Army chief last February, is being groomed to become the next Armed Forces chief, along with two   other contenders, when Bautista retires in July.

The two other contenders  are Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang and new Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said other military officers who took their oaths before Aquino were Maj. Gen. Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr., 1st Infantry Division commander; Maj. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, Army chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Silvino Alcabasa Jr., Armed Forces chief engineer; Maj. Gen. Lysander Suerte, deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations; and Maj. Lactao, deputy chief of staff for operations.

Joining them were Brig. Gen. Rafael Valencia, Armed Forces Resource Management Office chief; Brig. Gen. Wilson Leyva, 801st Infantry Brigade commander; Brig. Gen. Alexis Tamondong, Army Reserve Command chief; Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Basilan-based 104th Infantry Brigade commander;

Brig. Gen Eduardo Davalan, First Scout Ranger Regiment commander; Brig. Gen. Dario Quindoza, Army Internal Auditor; Brig. Gen. Inocencio Mayangao, 502nd Infantry Brigade commander; Brig. Gen. Elmer Pabale, Army 7th Infantry Division assistant division commander; Brig. Gen. Angelito de Leon, Armed Forces Command Center chief; and Brig. Gen. Joselito Kakilala, Sorsogon-based 903rd Infantry Brigade commander.

Also sworn in office were Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, Rear Admirals Alexander Lopez, Romeo Santiago Nebres and Antonio Habulan Jr., and Commodores Enrico Juan Talon, Jorge Amba, Virgilio Garcia, Rafael Mariano.  – Delon Porcalla, Jaime Laude