THE Local Government of Victorias led by Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca has paid tribute to a native of the town who rose from the ranks and currently holds the highest rank as Lieutenant General in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in rites held at the Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center June 2, 2021.
Lieutenant General Roberto Toriales Ancan is the first Victoriahanon who has reached the rank of general in the AFP and is a top senior military official in the Visayas who has received a three-star rank.
General Ancan, a bemedaled military officer with numerous awards and recognitions from the AFP, is a well-rounded officer who took various command and ftaff positions that led to where he is now. Among his notable postings were UN Military Observer at Timor Leste; Commanding Officer of AFP Peacekeeping Operations Center; Battalion Commander of three different Infantry Battalions of the 10th Infantry (Agila) Division in Mindanao namely: the 25th Infantry (Fireball) Battalion; 72nd Infantry (Cadre) Battalion and 66th Infantry (Kabalikat) Battalion; Chief of Staff, 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army; Commander of 1002nd Infantry (Bagwis) Brigade; 10th Infantry (Agila) Division; Philippine Army; and Commander of 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army before assuming his position as the 22nd Chief Commander of AFP Lapu-Lapu Cebu City, Apas, Lahug Central Command last October 28, 2019.
He was born in Victorias, Negros Occidental on the 21st day of August 1965 and is an alumnus of Don Bosco Technical Institute Victorias Class of 1981. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the Philippine Military Academy on 22 March 1987 as a proud member of PMA “Hinirang” Class.
His military career is guided by his quest for excellence by undergoing various military training both locally and abroad. He finished at the top of his Command and General Staff Course Class at the AFP Command and General Staff College and also finished his Masters in Management Major in Public Administration at the Philippine Christian University, Manila.
He underwent military studies such as basic airborne course, scout ranger course, field artillery officer’s basic course, explosives ordnance and disposal course, and took his junior officer close country instructor training at battle wing in Caungra in Queensland, Australia as well as his field artillery officers advance course at the US Army Field Artillery school in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
He also underwent training on peacekeeping course in United Nations Staff College Project in Turin, Italy, and Legal Legal Aspects in Support of Civil Authorities at Defense Institute for International Legal Studies at Newport, Rhode Island.
His remarkable accomplishments and achievements for excellence were evidenced by the numerous awards, decorations and commendations he received namely: Four (4) Distinguished Service Stars, Military Achievement Medals, Gawad sa Kaunlaran, Bronze Cross Medal, Silver Wing Medal, Military Merit Medals with bronze spearhead devices and anahaw leaves, Military Commendation Medals, Wounded Personnel Medal, United Nations Medals, Campaign Medals and various citations, badges and awards from both military and civilian institutions as well as from the United Nations and Asia- Pacific Peacekeeping Training Centers. He was a recipient of the Order of Santa Barbara awarded by the Army Field Artillery Foundation, Incorporated, National Council on UN Peace Operations Award and a Distinguished Alumnus of the Don Bosco Technical Institute, Victorias, Philippines and Malihaw Awardee of the City of Victorias in the year 2019.
He is married to Janet Dumancas Sagarang and blessed with two lovely daughters, Pamela, a registered nurse and Mary Claire.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson who graced the occasion said, “As the governor of the province, it is always a proud moment to know that one of the sons of the province is among the distinguished officers of the Armed Forces of the country, this time, as the AFP Commander of the Central Command.”
He also said that to lead forces effectively in this unprecedented time is no easy feat; given the pandemic and the multiple pressing issues being confronted by the Philippine Army, including the collective goal to end insurgency and the local communist armed conflict.
Lacson thanked Gen. Ancan for bringing pride and honor, not just to the service but also to Victorias City and the Province of Negros Occidental.
Mayor Palanca said, "You are our best, you are Visayas’ best, Don Bosco’s best, and Victorias’ best. He is the first and only 3-star General of Victorias and he never forgets where he came from. You are our Malihaw Awardee and you are also a tumandok nga Victoriahanon. All people stand and gave the best salute to General Ancan."
On the other hand, General Ancan said, "I would like to express my gratitude to the profound words and recognition accorded to me and my family by Victorias City. I am deeply honored and at the same time humbled for the tribute given by the City Government of Victorias headed by Mayor Palanca. Words could not express my gratitude to all the people behind this tribute. As a proud son of Victorias, I will forever be at your service. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he said.