THE much-awaited designation of senior officers to key commands caused by the recent mandatory retirement of the commander of the Western Command (Westcom) based in Palawan—reportedly marred by controversy—has been finally approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.
During a dinner hosted for him after the testimonial parade Thursday by the Philippine Army, outgoing Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya mentioned in his speech the approved designation orders for some senior officers.
Visaya particularly mentioned the designation of Maj. Gen. Oscar Lactao, at present AFP Inspector General, to take the helm of the Central Command based in Cebu.
Both the Centcom and AFP-IG are a three-star position but some of the latter’s previous commanders were denied of their third star ranks because of the “bata-bata system” that continues to lurk in the AFP’s promotion and designation of senior officers.
Lactao, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maharlika” Class 1984, was one of the so-called “Novotel generals” who allegedly met with then Liberal Party presidential bet Mar Roxas several weeks before the May 2016 polls.
Lactao though denied he was with the group that met Roxas, an honorary member of his batch.
Multiple sources told Manila Standard that Lactao allegedly even sought the help of a defense official for the Centcom position.
When contacted through his cellular mobile phone, Lactao ignored calls and messages for him to clarify the issue and instead texted back “wrong number.”
Allegedly, Lactao’s meeting with the official did not sit well with Visaya.
Even before his assumption as the new President, Duterte had ordered the military to restore the integrity of the Board of Generals which is in charge of selecting and recommending senior officers up for promotion and designation, including the chief of staff position.
Duterte even berated senior officers who seek endorsements from influential politicians just to get “juicy positions.”
Lactao will replace his “mistah” (classmate) Maj. Gen. Raul del Rosario who was laterally transferred to the Westcom.
Rear Adm. Narciso Vingson Jr., current commander of the Navy Education and Training Command, has been appointed new AFP-IG. He is a member of PMA “Sandiwa” Class ’85.
Meanwhile, Visaya hinted another member from his PMA “Matikas” Class ’83 was a strong candidate to replace him.
He will reach his mandatory retirement age of 56 on Dec. 8 but he will be passing the military top post to his successor on Dec. 7.
The short list of candidates for the chief of staff position includes Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano and Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, both Matikas members; Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Ray Leonardo Guerrero, a Maharlika member; and Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, a Sandiwa member.
A é›»ark horse is Davaoeno Maj. Gen. Edgar Gonzales, a Maharlika member and current commander of Mechanized Infantry Division.