A SEASONED military officer has been installed on Wednesday, May 23, as the new commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) based in Zamboanga City.
Installed by National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who presided the turnover of command, is newly-promoted Lieutenant General Arnel Dela Vega, the current commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Central Mindanao.
Dela Vega, who was installed as the 10th commander of Westmincom, has replaced General Carlito Galvez, Jr., who was assigned as the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on April 18.
Lorenzana said the Westmincom is fortunate to be headed successively by two bemedalled officers--Galvez and Dela Vega.
Lorenzana described them as “very good officers,” citing they have served as his subordinate officers when he was still in the military service.
He said both Galvez and Dela Vega have worked together in crushing the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups in Marawi City last year.
Both officers had also held several key positions in the AFP.
“With his vast experience in dealing with terrorism and his strong leadership, I am confident that the Westmincom under (Lieutenant) General Dela Vega can performs its task inherent to this command,” he said.
Galvez said Dela Vega is “fit for the post (as Westmincom chief)’ saying he had personally witnessed “his meticulous and methodical operations and his manner of handling crucial situation.”
Galvez and Dela Vega are “Mistah” since both of them are members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sandiwa” Class of 1985. (SunStar Philippines)