Marcos Jr. OKs promotion of 33 military officials

BACOLOD, Philippines — President Marcos has approved the promotion of 33 generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Three of the promoted 33 senior officers are assigned with the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division with headquarters at Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz.

Promoted to the rank of major general was Brig. Gen. Marion Sison, 3rd ID commander, while elevated to the rank of brigadier general were Col. Michael Samson and Col. Orlando Edralin, commanders of the 301st and 303rd Infantry Brigades, respectively.

Sison, Samson, Edralin and Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, who has been designated as the Assistant Division Commander of 3ID, are all members of the Philippine Military Class of 1991.

The successor of Peña as 302nd Infantry Brigade commander in Negros Oriental, has not been announced yet.

Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, AFP Visayas Command chief, said Peña would continue to assist the Joint Task Force Negros in maintaining peace and order in Negros Oriental, pending designation of his successor as 302nd Infantry Brigade commander.

Malacañang sought the confirmation of the 33 senior officers in a letter to members of the Commission on Appointments dated April 4.

Promoted to the rank of lieutenant general were Maj. Gen. Fernyl Buca and Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan.

Elevated to the rank of major general and rear admiral, aside from Sison, who is the 3rd ID commander, were Brig. Generals Noel Beleran, Fabian Pedregosa, Steve Crespillo, Teofilo Bailon Jr., Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Fernando Reyeg, Proceso Rebancos, Elpidio Talja, Rogelio Ulanday, Luis Rex Bergante, Rommel Tello as well as Commodores Alfonso Torres Jr. and Mac Raul Racachoer.

Also promoted to the rank of brigadier general/ commodore were Cols. Federico Enriquez, Amado dela Paz, Aldrin Alnani, Alejando Papa, Patriarch Robinson, Leo Edward Caranto, Michelle Anayron Jr., Patricio Ruben Amata, Benjamen Hao, Antonio Rota Jr., Donald Gumiran, Alvin Luzon, Ulpiano Olarte, Navy Capts. Rolando Sarmiento and Juario Marayag.