TEN senior military officials, including the chief of the Philippine Navy and the commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), have been promoted to a higher rank.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr led the donning of ranks ceremony for the promoted officers at the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
The officers were led by Navy chief Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta and AFP Western Mindanao Command chief Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, who were promoted to the rank of vice admiral and lieutenant general, respectively.
Ezpeleta, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 1991, assumed as Navy chief on November 15 last year, replacing now retired Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr.
On the other hand, Nafarrete, of PMA class 1990, took over as Westmincom commander on November 20 last year, vice now retired Lt. Gen. William Gonzales.
AFP deputy chief of staff for education, training and doctrine Brig. Gen. Llewillyn Banaag and Air Force Internal Auditor Brig. Gen. Lloyd Cabacuñgan were promoted to the rank of major general.
Promoted to the rank of brigadier general were Colonels Isidro Alex Urriquia, George Cabreros, Francisco Domingo Fernandez, Harold Anthony Pascua, and Patrick De Villa.
Navy Captain Charles Merric Villanueva was also promoted to the rank of commodore.
”Today, you stand as beacons of excellence in our organization,” said Brawner to the promotees.
“Your promotions are not just an acknowledgement of your accomplishment but most importantly a call to greater service,” he also said.
AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the ceremony “served as a formal recognition of the officers’ exemplary service and contributions to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, representing a significant career milestone.”
