A one-star general has been designated the acting vice commander of the 110,000-strong Philippine Army.
Brig. Gen. Jovencio Gonzales took over the second-highest position in the Army from Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, who has reached the retirement age of 57.
Gonzales will serve as acting Army vice commander in addition to his job as acting Army Chief of Staff, the third-highest post in the Army.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido presided over the change of office ceremony at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City last Monday.
Gonzales, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1990, assumed command as acting Army chief of staff early this year. Before that, he served as commander of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade based in Carmen, North Cotabato.
Galido paid tribute to Guinid, who is also from PMA class 1990, “for his able leadership and for leading various Philippine boards and committees,” said Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala.
