New AFP deputy chief of staff installed

MANILA, Philippines - A senior Navy officer was installed yesterday as the Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for Civil Military Operations, a key military position left vacant, as a result of the continuing changes triggered by the recent reteriment of AFP chief and now Immigration Commisioner Ricardo David.

In a simple turn-over rites, Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez, commander of the Navy’s Fleet-Marine Ready Force, assumed command of the AFP’s J-7, from its outgoing J-7 commander, Brig. Gen. Nonato Alfredo Peralta Jr.

Peralta was literally kicked up following his official designation as the new superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) replacing Vice Admiral Leonardo Calderon who retired from the military service March 11.

The Philippine Navy has already recommended four names of senior officers to choose who among them would replace Rodriguez as commander of the Navy’s fighting force.

 “The AFP welcomes Commodore Rodriguez as its 39th deputy chief of staff for Civil Military Operations,” AFP Public Information Office chief, Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said.

Rodriguez was a member of the PMA Class of 1980. Aside from being designated as commander of the Navy Fleet-Marine Ready Force, he has commanded several Navy ships.

He is also aholder of Public Management and Law degrees from the University of the Philippines and Baguio Colleges Foundation, and a recipient of awards and decorations to include numerous military merit medals and the Gold Cross Medal.

In his assumption speech, after being installed by Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista on behalf of AFP chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban, Rodriguez vowed that he will do his best so that his new position will become an instrument of peace and will focus his command efforts on the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan.