THE commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) retired from the service yesterday, bringing to four the number of key military posts without permanent leaders.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr. relinquished his post to Marine Brig. Arturo Rojas in rites presided over by AFP chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro at the Westmincom headquarters at Camp Navarro in Zamboanga City.
Rojas will lead Westmincom as its acting commander, pending the appointment by President Marcos Jr. of a permanent commander. He will handle the job in concurrent capacity as Westmincom deputy commander for external defense operations.
There are now four key positions in the Armed Forces that are occupied by officers in an acting capacity.
Two of the posts, Navy chief and AFP vice chief, were vacated last month by now-retired Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado and Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria, respectively.
Navy vice commander Rear Adm. Caesar Bernardo Valencia and AFP deputy chief Vice Adm. Anthony Reyes have been designated as acting Navy chief and AFP vice chief, respectively.
Also lacking a permanent commander is the AFP Southern Luzon Command (Solcom). The post was vacated by Bacarro when he assumed command as AFP chief last August.
Solcom is currently headed by Solcom deputy commander Brig. Gen. Armand Arevalo, also in an acting capacity.
Before becoming the Wesmincom deputy commander for external defense operations in July last year, Rojas was the commander of both the Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and 2nd Marine Brigade.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1990, Rojas spent the early years of his military career with the Marine Battalion Landing Team 34, Marine Battalion Landing Team 9 and the Force Reconnaissance Battalion.
He holds two master’s degrees — Master of Science in Defense Analysis from US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, USA and Master in Public Management-Major in Department and Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Rojas is a recipient of numerous medals, including four Distinguished Service Stars, a Distinguished Service Medal, an Outstanding Achievement Medal, a Gold Cross Medal, and two Distinguished Navy Cross, among others.
Bacarro said Westmincom is in best hands, noting Rojas’ “extensive knowledge and experience.”
Rosario, of the PMA class 1988, bowed out of service upon reaching the retirement age of 56. He led Westmincom for more than a year.
“Today I have these mixed feelings of sadness, nostalgia, and happiness. I am sad and nostalgic because I will be leaving behind the organization, co-workers, and friends whom I have worked with for quite some time,” said Rosario.
“Yet, I am happy because I will now have all the time to be with my family and with a sense of pride knowing that I am leaving Western Mindanao command in a better state. I am contented, knowing that I was able to sustain what my predecessors have started,” said Rosario.
The posts of Wesmincom and Solcom commander, Navy chief and AFP vice chief were among those given a fixed three-year term under Republic 11709 that took effect last July 1.
The others given a three year-term under the law were the AFP chief; AFP deputy chief; Army chief; Air Force chief; commanders of the Northern Luzon Command, Western Command, Visayas Command, and Eastern Mindanao Command chief; and the AFP Inspector General. The law also gave a four-year-term to the PMA superintendent.
Officers appointed to these positions will get the fixed term once designated to the posts after the effectivity of the law.