ARMY chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr has installed commanders, although in acting capacity, of major Army units which were vacated due to promotion and retirement.
Brawner on Tuesday presided over the ceremony for the assumption of Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV as acting commander of the Armor Division at the division’s headquarters in Camp O’Donnel in Tarlac.
Palafox succeeded Maj. Gen. Efren Baluyot, a classmate of Brawner at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1989, who earlier assumed the higher position of commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command based in Lucena City in Quezon.
Palafox, of the PMA Class 1990, will lead the Armor Division in concurrent capacity as the division’s deputy commander.
Palafox previously commanded the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade and Army’s Civil Military Operations Regiment. He also served as the Army assistant chief of staff for civil military operations.
Brawner said Baluyot’s “hard work and commitment to the service of God, country and the Filipino people.” as Armor Division commander, “have been exemplary.”
“Good luck with your new assignment and I am confident that you still have so much to contribute to the Armed Forces (as Southern Luzon Command commander),” said Brawner.
“And to Brig. Gen. Palafox, I am certain that you will bring forth your competence in pursuing the best interest of your unit. Be assured that the Philippine Army is committed to supporting your endeavors and providing you with the necessary resources down the line,” said Brawner.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Jaime Abawag Jr took over as acting commander of the 9th Infantry Division (ID) on Monday, replacing Maj. Gen. Alex Luna who reached the compulsory retirement age of 56.
Abawag will head the 9th ID in concurrent capacity as the division’s deputy commander.
Abawag, a member of the PMA Class 1990, once served as commander of the 902nd Brigade.
Brawner also presided over the retirement ceremony for Luna and assumption of Abawag at the 9th ID headquarters in Camp Elias Angeles in Camarines Sur.
Brawner congratulated Luna, also his PMA classmate, for a successful military career. Luna has served as AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence and commander of the Joint Task Force National Capital Region.
Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the two major Army units were filled with acting commanders, pending appointment of permanent commanders.
“To ensure continuity, to ensure someone will command these major units, we assigned commanders in acting capacity, pending the designation of permanent commanders,” said Trinidad.
Trinidad said Palafox and Abawag might eventually become the permanent commanders of the two units.
