LINEAGE OF COMMANDERS
MAJ JOSE M CRISOL (INF) PA 03 Feb 51 - 17 Aug 69
BGEN GUILLERMO A PECACHE AFP 17 Aug 69 – 16 May 72
COL NOE S ANDAYA PA (GSC) 16 May 72 – 16 Apr 78
BGEN ALEXANDER L FELIX AFP 16 Apr 78 – 12 Mar 83
BGEN PACIFICO M LOPEZ DE LEON AFP 14 Mar 83 – 08 Mar 85
BGEN EDUARDO R ERMITA AFP 08 Mar 85 – 26 Feb 86
BGEN LUIS G SAN ANDRES AFP 26 Feb 86 – 30 Sep 86
BGEN HONESTO M ISLETA AFP 30 Sep 86 – 20 Apr 89
BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO AFP 20 Apr 89 – 04 Mar 90
CAPT JOHNNY S ANDAYA PN (GSC) 04 Mar 90 - 16 Apr 90
BGEN RAMBERTO B SAAVEDRA AFP 16 Apr 90 – 01 Feb 92
BGEN ROMEO A PADIERNOS AFP 01 Feb 92 – 16 Jul 93
BGEN RENE S DADO AFP 16 Jul 93 – 14 Apr 94
BGEN ANGELO T REYES AFP 14 Apr 94 – 03 Aug 95
BGEN VICTOR U GARCIA AFP 03 Aug 95 – 11 Sep 96
COL NESTOR C CASTILLO PA 11 Sep 96 – 21 Feb 00
COL JAIME L CANATOY PAF 21 Feb 00 – 15 May 01
BGEN EDILBERTO P ADAN AFP 15 May 01 – 16 Apr 02
COL JOSE A MENDOZA PAF 16 Apr 02 – 10 Jun 03
RADM EDGARDO M ISRAEL AFP 10 Jun 03 – 01 Oct 03
BGEN VICTOR N CORPUS AFP 01 Oct 03 – 15 Oct 04
BGEN ALEXANDER B YANO AFP 15 Oct 04 – 05 Feb 05
BGEN JOSE ANGEL A HONRADO AFP 05 Feb 05 – 24 Jan 06
BGEN JAIME B BUENAFLOR AFP 24 Jan 06 – 11 Aug 11
COMMO AMABLE B TOLENTINO AFP 11 Aug 11 – 04 Mar 07
BGEN NESTOR R SADIARIN AFP 04 Mar 07 – 12 Dec 08
BGEN GAUDENCIO S PANGILINAN AFP 12 Dec 08 – 13 Nov 09
BGEN FRANCISCO N CRUZ JR AFP 13 Nov 09 – 22 Jul 10
BGEN JOSE Z MABANTA JR AFP 22 Jul 10 – 04 Apr 11
BGEN EDUARDO D DEL ROSARIO AFP 04 Apr 11 – 21 Jan 12
BGEN ROLANDO B TENEFRANCIA AFP 01 Feb 12 – 11 Jan 13
BGEN ROLANDO G JUNGCO AFP 28 Jan 13 - 27 May 14
BGEN ROMEO G GAN AFP 27 May 2014-13 Feb 2015
BGEN JOSELITO E KAKILALA AFP 02 Feb 15 - 04 Apr 16
MGEN RHODERICK M PARAYNO AFP 04 Apr 16 - 01 Dec 16
MGEN RONNIE S EVANGELISTA AFP 01 Dec 16 - 14 Dec 17
MGEN BIENVENIDO R DATUIN JR AFP 14 Dec 17 - 06 Aug 19
BGEN EDGARD A AREVALO AFP 06 Aug 19 - 06 Nov 19 (Acting Commander)
MGEN ERNESTO C TORRES JR PA 06 Nov 19 - 12 March 2021
COL MEDEL M AGUILAR (MNSA) PA 12 March 2021 - 22 April 2021 (Acting Commander)
MGEN MANUEL V SEQUITIN PA 22 April 2021 - Present
MAJ JOSE M CRISOL (INF) PA
03 Feb 51 - 17 Aug 69
(1917-1993)
World War II Fighter And Defense Official
The acknowledged expert on psychological warfare of his time, Jose M. Crisol was born to a working class couple in pandan, Catanduanes on November 15, 1917. His father, Avelino Crisol, worked as a highway inspector; his mother was, for a long time, a government clerk.
He obtained his higher education from the Mapua Institute of Technology and the University of the Philippines, and his military training from the Prestigious Philippine Military Academy. He was commissioned third lieutenant in the regular force of the Philippine Army on December 31, 1941.
During the Japanese Occupation, he was among the thousands who underwent the infamous Death March, at the end of which he suffered imprisonment in the concentration camp at Capas, Tarlac. He miraculously survived both ordeals.
Crisol served as a member of the Allied Intelligence Bureau and as battalion commander of the Bicol Guerrilla Brigade. For his gallantry in action in Bataan, he was decorated with the Gold Cross.
Upon the war’s end in 1945, he proceeded to the United States to further hone his military know-how at the Officers Training School in Fort Benning, Georgia. When he returned to the country, he served on the staff of the Philippine Ground Combat School and the Reserve Officers Service School, before joining that of his alma mater, the PMA.
In 1950, then Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay tapped him to lead the government’s anti-insurgency program aimed at breaking the Huk movement in Central Luzon through psychological warfare and civic action. He was designated chief of the civil affairs office of the Department of National Defense. For the success of the campaign, which resulted in the capture or surrender of Huk leaders, he was later awarded the Legion of Honor by President Magsaysay.
In 1953, Crisol resigned his regular commission in the Philippine Army to help Magsaysay in this presidential bid by serving as his political strategist.
His outstanding achievements in the field of intelligence as well as his personal sacrifices were rewarded in January 1954 when he was named director of the National Bureau of Investigation, the country’s premier intelligence body, and presidential adviser on national security. In a concurrent capacity, he served as government investigation coordinator and presidential performance officer.
In May 1954, he becomes the undersecretary of national defense-at 36, the youngest ever to be so named.
In 1957, under the administration of President Carlos P. Garcia, he was named acting secretary of defense. Eleven years later, he would serve in the government of President Ferdinand E. Marcos as presidential assistant on civil action, with the rank of undersecretary, as well as the President’s special personal representative in the Armed Forces’ civil action programs. In 1970, he was given the portfolio of undersecretary for home defense and, as such, directly supervised all AFP “home defense activities,” including the government’s campaign against the then newly formed New People’s Army.
Crisol also served as chairman of the Board of Liquidators; director of NASSCO; “back-pay” commissioner, chairman of the Leyte-Samar Development Coordinating Council; coordinator of the New Kabankalan Negrito Affairs, and member of the Board of Review for Motion Pictures. In June 1978, he was designated acting chairman of the National Police Commission. He was also made national adviser of the Philippine Veterans Legion. At the time he retired from government service, he held the rank of brigadier-general in the AFP’s reserved forces.
A much-decorated military officer, Crisol was the recipient of the Wounded Personnel Medal, Resistance Movement Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, American Defense Service Medal and Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Emblem, Anti-Dissidence Campaign Ribbon, Jolo Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Purple Heart.
He was the author of several works, including The Red Lie, his most famous book; Men and Arms; Fundamentals of Village Defense; Marcos on the Armed Forces; The home Defense Officer in the Modernization Process; The Armed Forces in National Building; and Military Civil Action.
His life came to a tragic end on December 12, 1993 when he was killed at his home by disgruntled family employees.
He left behind his wife, the former, Carmen Borromeo, and their children.
(1917-1993)
World War II Fighter And Defense Official
The acknowledged expert on psychological warfare of his time, Jose M. Crisol was born to a working class couple in pandan, Catanduanes on November 15, 1917. His father, Avelino Crisol, worked as a highway inspector; his mother was, for a long time, a government clerk.
He obtained his higher education from the Mapua Institute of Technology and the University of the Philippines, and his military training from the Prestigious Philippine Military Academy. He was commissioned third lieutenant in the regular force of the Philippine Army on December 31, 1941.
During the Japanese Occupation, he was among the thousands who underwent the infamous Death March, at the end of which he suffered imprisonment in the concentration camp at Capas, Tarlac. He miraculously survived both ordeals.
Crisol served as a member of the Allied Intelligence Bureau and as battalion commander of the Bicol Guerrilla Brigade. For his gallantry in action in Bataan, he was decorated with the Gold Cross.
Upon the war’s end in 1945, he proceeded to the United States to further hone his military know-how at the Officers Training School in Fort Benning, Georgia. When he returned to the country, he served on the staff of the Philippine Ground Combat School and the Reserve Officers Service School, before joining that of his alma mater, the PMA.
In 1950, then Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay tapped him to lead the government’s anti-insurgency program aimed at breaking the Huk movement in Central Luzon through psychological warfare and civic action. He was designated chief of the civil affairs office of the Department of National Defense. For the success of the campaign, which resulted in the capture or surrender of Huk leaders, he was later awarded the Legion of Honor by President Magsaysay.
In 1953, Crisol resigned his regular commission in the Philippine Army to help Magsaysay in this presidential bid by serving as his political strategist.
His outstanding achievements in the field of intelligence as well as his personal sacrifices were rewarded in January 1954 when he was named director of the National Bureau of Investigation, the country’s premier intelligence body, and presidential adviser on national security. In a concurrent capacity, he served as government investigation coordinator and presidential performance officer.
In May 1954, he becomes the undersecretary of national defense-at 36, the youngest ever to be so named.
In 1957, under the administration of President Carlos P. Garcia, he was named acting secretary of defense. Eleven years later, he would serve in the government of President Ferdinand E. Marcos as presidential assistant on civil action, with the rank of undersecretary, as well as the President’s special personal representative in the Armed Forces’ civil action programs. In 1970, he was given the portfolio of undersecretary for home defense and, as such, directly supervised all AFP “home defense activities,” including the government’s campaign against the then newly formed New People’s Army.
Crisol also served as chairman of the Board of Liquidators; director of NASSCO; “back-pay” commissioner, chairman of the Leyte-Samar Development Coordinating Council; coordinator of the New Kabankalan Negrito Affairs, and member of the Board of Review for Motion Pictures. In June 1978, he was designated acting chairman of the National Police Commission. He was also made national adviser of the Philippine Veterans Legion. At the time he retired from government service, he held the rank of brigadier-general in the AFP’s reserved forces.
A much-decorated military officer, Crisol was the recipient of the Wounded Personnel Medal, Resistance Movement Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, American Defense Service Medal and Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, World War II Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Emblem, Anti-Dissidence Campaign Ribbon, Jolo Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Purple Heart.
He was the author of several works, including The Red Lie, his most famous book; Men and Arms; Fundamentals of Village Defense; Marcos on the Armed Forces; The home Defense Officer in the Modernization Process; The Armed Forces in National Building; and Military Civil Action.
His life came to a tragic end on December 12, 1993 when he was killed at his home by disgruntled family employees.
He left behind his wife, the former, Carmen Borromeo, and their children.
BGEN GUILLERMO A PECACHE AFP
17 Aug 69 – 16 May 72
COL NOE S ANDAYA PA (GSC)
16 May 72 – 16 Apr 78
BGEN ALEXANDER L FELIX AFP
16 Apr 78 – 12 Mar 83
BGEN PACIFICO M LOPEZ DE LEON AFP
14 Mar 83 – 08 Mar 85
BGEN EDUARDO R ERMITA AFP
08 Mar 85 – 26 Feb 86
BGEN EDUARDO R ERMITA AFP (born July 13, 1935) took his Defense Resource Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, U.S.A. from 1978 to 1979; Command and General Staff Course, Fort Bonifacio in 1974; Unit Psychological Officers Course, Kennedy Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.A. from 1970 to 1971; Special Forces Course, Fort Magsaysay from 1962 to 1963; Counterintelligence Course, Special Intelligence School, Fort Boniofacio in 1962; Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1961; and Ranger School, Fort Benning, Georgia from 1960 to 1961.
He was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the series of coup attempts from 1986 to 1988, Undersecretary of National Defense during the last major coup attempt in December 1989, head of the Special Information group during the EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986, and president of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association from 1986 to 1988.
Ermita is married to Elvira Ramos from Dipolog City, with whom he has four children.
BGEN EDUARDO R ERMITA AFP (born July 13, 1935) took his Defense Resource Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, U.S.A. from 1978 to 1979; Command and General Staff Course, Fort Bonifacio in 1974; Unit Psychological Officers Course, Kennedy Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, U.S.A. from 1970 to 1971; Special Forces Course, Fort Magsaysay from 1962 to 1963; Counterintelligence Course, Special Intelligence School, Fort Boniofacio in 1962; Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1961; and Ranger School, Fort Benning, Georgia from 1960 to 1961.
He was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the series of coup attempts from 1986 to 1988, Undersecretary of National Defense during the last major coup attempt in December 1989, head of the Special Information group during the EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986, and president of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association from 1986 to 1988.
Ermita is married to Elvira Ramos from Dipolog City, with whom he has four children.
BGEN LUIS G SAN ANDRES AFP
26 Feb 86 – 30 Sep 86
BGEN HONESTO M ISLETA AFP
30 Sep 86 – 20 Apr 89
AS A soldier, retired brigadier general Honesto M. Isleta is remembered by his peers as a fearless psychological war expert with a soft heart, who was always the cynosure in any occasion because of his jokes and anecdotes to which he laughed the loudest.
Isleta died peacefully in his sleep last week after years of fighting a kidney problem. He was 83.
Isleta was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonfiacio, Taguig City on December 20 where he was given a hero’s burial as a soldier in rites attended by retired major general Ramon E. Montaño, retired former lieutenant general and former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita and former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Unknown to many, Nes was a member of the famed Philippine Civic Action Group in Vietnam during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969 and was the last Philcag man to be pull out of Vietnam.
It was in Vietnam where he poured his civic action expertise, together with other Philcag officers and men in alleviating the suffering of the Vietnamese, especially the civilians caught in the crossfire.
He maximized his experience in Vietnam when the Mindanao rebellion broke out in 1974 staged by the Moro National Liberation Front.
A psychological war expert, Nes was assigned to the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and helped in disseminating information to the media on what was going on in the AFP’s campaign in Mindanao against the MNLF.
During the peace talks initiated by the government in April 1977, Nes was assigned to give daily press briefing to members of media covering the negotiations.
This writer was one of the three Manila newsmen, who covered the localized peace talks with Alex Allan of Daily Express and Fred Sajot of Channel 13.
The mission of government peace talk negotiators was to go directly to MNLF areas in Mindanao, including Sulu and Tawi-Tawi where the talks were held.
We knew it was a dangerous mission, but the peace panel took the risk. We rode aboard a Philippine Navy ship in going to the islands and took the helicopter in our trips to various provinces in mainland Mindanao. The peace talks lasted one month.
The most dangerous peace talks the government peace negotiators undertook was in Tuburan, Basilan where MNLF forces under Gerry Salapuddin were based.
As our ship was steaming towards Basilan, Nes, who was then a colonel, announced that the MNLF rebels would only meet with the peace panel provided no security forces would be allowed to go ashore.
“We will comply with their request. We are going there without any security forces,” Nes said.
We rode on small boats going to the seashore as it was low tide at that time. When we reached the seashore, we saw men in fatigue uniform with high-powered firearms. We presumed they were advanced army soldiers, but we were shocked to learn that they were all MNLF rebels.
Members of the press were told to wait outside the conference room. After an hour of waiting, we heard shouting inside the conference room when an MNLF rebel, a classmate of Fred Sajot as the latter was from Basilan, told us to be alert and prepare for any contingency.
We looked around and we saw two 30 caliber machine guns positioned to the right and one at the left.
At that point, we could do nothing because we were virtually trapped on the island-province. I just prayed for our safety.
After a few minutes, there was complete silence inside the conference room and the negotiators from the government and MNLF came out smiling. We took a deep breath of relief.
Then Nes told us “Everything is alright” and we laughed when Nes said: “Were you scarfe?”
We went back to board our ship anchored 100 meters from the shoreline. As usual, Nes, a jolly fellow, started cracking jokes of the incident that had just happened.
A religious man he was, Nes will be remembered by veteran journalists as an officer and a gentleman with a big heart of kindness and humbleness. May his soul be in heaven.
AS A soldier, retired brigadier general Honesto M. Isleta is remembered by his peers as a fearless psychological war expert with a soft heart, who was always the cynosure in any occasion because of his jokes and anecdotes to which he laughed the loudest.
Isleta died peacefully in his sleep last week after years of fighting a kidney problem. He was 83.
Isleta was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonfiacio, Taguig City on December 20 where he was given a hero’s burial as a soldier in rites attended by retired major general Ramon E. Montaño, retired former lieutenant general and former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita and former President Fidel V. Ramos.
Unknown to many, Nes was a member of the famed Philippine Civic Action Group in Vietnam during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969 and was the last Philcag man to be pull out of Vietnam.
It was in Vietnam where he poured his civic action expertise, together with other Philcag officers and men in alleviating the suffering of the Vietnamese, especially the civilians caught in the crossfire.
He maximized his experience in Vietnam when the Mindanao rebellion broke out in 1974 staged by the Moro National Liberation Front.
A psychological war expert, Nes was assigned to the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and helped in disseminating information to the media on what was going on in the AFP’s campaign in Mindanao against the MNLF.
During the peace talks initiated by the government in April 1977, Nes was assigned to give daily press briefing to members of media covering the negotiations.
This writer was one of the three Manila newsmen, who covered the localized peace talks with Alex Allan of Daily Express and Fred Sajot of Channel 13.
The mission of government peace talk negotiators was to go directly to MNLF areas in Mindanao, including Sulu and Tawi-Tawi where the talks were held.
We knew it was a dangerous mission, but the peace panel took the risk. We rode aboard a Philippine Navy ship in going to the islands and took the helicopter in our trips to various provinces in mainland Mindanao. The peace talks lasted one month.
The most dangerous peace talks the government peace negotiators undertook was in Tuburan, Basilan where MNLF forces under Gerry Salapuddin were based.
As our ship was steaming towards Basilan, Nes, who was then a colonel, announced that the MNLF rebels would only meet with the peace panel provided no security forces would be allowed to go ashore.
“We will comply with their request. We are going there without any security forces,” Nes said.
We rode on small boats going to the seashore as it was low tide at that time. When we reached the seashore, we saw men in fatigue uniform with high-powered firearms. We presumed they were advanced army soldiers, but we were shocked to learn that they were all MNLF rebels.
Members of the press were told to wait outside the conference room. After an hour of waiting, we heard shouting inside the conference room when an MNLF rebel, a classmate of Fred Sajot as the latter was from Basilan, told us to be alert and prepare for any contingency.
We looked around and we saw two 30 caliber machine guns positioned to the right and one at the left.
At that point, we could do nothing because we were virtually trapped on the island-province. I just prayed for our safety.
After a few minutes, there was complete silence inside the conference room and the negotiators from the government and MNLF came out smiling. We took a deep breath of relief.
Then Nes told us “Everything is alright” and we laughed when Nes said: “Were you scarfe?”
We went back to board our ship anchored 100 meters from the shoreline. As usual, Nes, a jolly fellow, started cracking jokes of the incident that had just happened.
A religious man he was, Nes will be remembered by veteran journalists as an officer and a gentleman with a big heart of kindness and humbleness. May his soul be in heaven.
BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO AFP
20 Apr 89 – 04 Mar 90
Late Brigadier General Oscar M Florendo AFP, the 9th Commander, CRSAFP from 16 April 1989 – 04 March 1990.
General Florendo laid on the launching of the Awareness Program that was designed to win the hearts and minds of the people and to correct the misperception of the public about our men-in-uniform through the use of multi-media and communication networks.
BGen Florendo has placed premium on the transformation of soldiers into better citizens who are reverent to God, mission-oriented and committed in serving the nation.
Late Brigadier General Oscar M Florendo AFP, the 9th Commander, CRSAFP from 16 April 1989 – 04 March 1990.
General Florendo laid on the launching of the Awareness Program that was designed to win the hearts and minds of the people and to correct the misperception of the public about our men-in-uniform through the use of multi-media and communication networks.
BGen Florendo has placed premium on the transformation of soldiers into better citizens who are reverent to God, mission-oriented and committed in serving the nation.
CAPT JOHNNY S ANDAYA PN (GSC)
04 Mar 90 - 16 Apr 90
BGEN RAMBERTO B SAAVEDRA AFP
16 Apr 90 – 01 Feb 92
BGEN ROMEO A PADIERNOS AFP
01 Feb 92 – 16 Jul 93
BGEN. Romeo A. Padiernos, former Southern Command chief, died on July 26. He was 73.
Padiernos was a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1965. His career in the Armed Forces of the Philippines took off in Mindanao, where in 1973 he was part of government forces that fought the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
He rose to become Southcom commander, a post he held until retiring in 1998 after 38 years of military service.
He is survived by his wife Leticia, children Fidelis Rita, Citesa Divina, Romeo Jr., Dante Achilles and Aries Ismael, their spouses and grandchildren. His remains lie at Mortuary 2 of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, where he will be interred at 11 a.m. on July 31.
BGEN. Romeo A. Padiernos, former Southern Command chief, died on July 26. He was 73.
Padiernos was a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1965. His career in the Armed Forces of the Philippines took off in Mindanao, where in 1973 he was part of government forces that fought the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
He rose to become Southcom commander, a post he held until retiring in 1998 after 38 years of military service.
He is survived by his wife Leticia, children Fidelis Rita, Citesa Divina, Romeo Jr., Dante Achilles and Aries Ismael, their spouses and grandchildren. His remains lie at Mortuary 2 of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, where he will be interred at 11 a.m. on July 31.
BGEN RENE S DADO AFP
16 Jul 93 – 14 Apr 94
BGEN ANGELO T REYES AFP
14 Apr 94 – 03 Aug 95
Reyes spent most of his childhood in San Miguel, Manila. He completed his secondary education at the Cubao High School (now Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School) in 1960 where he graduated as the class valedictorian. In 1966, he was among the top ten graduates of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. He then proceeded to acquire two master's degrees, namely: Masters in Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Management in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1994. He also took up International Defense Management Course in Monterey, California in 1983. In 1987, he graduated No. 1 in Trust Operations Management Course conducted by the Trust Institutes Foundation of the Philippines at the Ateneo Business School which eventually earned him a scholarship to the Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.
Angelo Reyes began his military career as a team leader in the Philippine Army's 1st Special Forces Airborne Regiment. He spent his field command duties as battalion commander, brigade commander, and area commander in Mindanao where he gained experience in addressing the threats from the communist insurgency and Muslim secessionism in the Philippines. He became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army which then propelled him to the top post of the Philippine military as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
As AFP Chief of Staff, he still worked towards the vision of a modern boy scouts of the Philippines. On January 19, 2001, the then-General Reyes withdrew support from President Joseph Estrada, leading to his ouster. Reyes held the following positions in the Philippine Army and in the top brass of Armed Forces of the Philippines, garnering various military medals and citations throughout his 39-year military career until he retired in 2001:
Team leader, Special Forces Group PA (Airborne);
Commanding officer (CO), 4th Infantry Battalion (PA), Zamboanga;
CO, 602nd Infantry Brigade (PA), Davao provinces;
Commanding General (CG), Civil Relations Service AFP;
Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2 AFP;
CG, 5th Infantry Division (PA), covering Northeastern Luzon;
CG, Southern Command AFP, covering the whole of Mindanao;
CG, PA; and
Chief of Staff, AFP
Reyes spent most of his childhood in San Miguel, Manila. He completed his secondary education at the Cubao High School (now Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School) in 1960 where he graduated as the class valedictorian. In 1966, he was among the top ten graduates of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. He then proceeded to acquire two master's degrees, namely: Masters in Business Administration from the Asian Institute of Management in 1973 and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1994. He also took up International Defense Management Course in Monterey, California in 1983. In 1987, he graduated No. 1 in Trust Operations Management Course conducted by the Trust Institutes Foundation of the Philippines at the Ateneo Business School which eventually earned him a scholarship to the Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.
Angelo Reyes began his military career as a team leader in the Philippine Army's 1st Special Forces Airborne Regiment. He spent his field command duties as battalion commander, brigade commander, and area commander in Mindanao where he gained experience in addressing the threats from the communist insurgency and Muslim secessionism in the Philippines. He became the Commanding General of the Philippine Army which then propelled him to the top post of the Philippine military as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
As AFP Chief of Staff, he still worked towards the vision of a modern boy scouts of the Philippines. On January 19, 2001, the then-General Reyes withdrew support from President Joseph Estrada, leading to his ouster. Reyes held the following positions in the Philippine Army and in the top brass of Armed Forces of the Philippines, garnering various military medals and citations throughout his 39-year military career until he retired in 2001:
Team leader, Special Forces Group PA (Airborne);
Commanding officer (CO), 4th Infantry Battalion (PA), Zamboanga;
CO, 602nd Infantry Brigade (PA), Davao provinces;
Commanding General (CG), Civil Relations Service AFP;
Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2 AFP;
CG, 5th Infantry Division (PA), covering Northeastern Luzon;
CG, Southern Command AFP, covering the whole of Mindanao;
CG, PA; and
Chief of Staff, AFP
BGEN VICTOR U GARCIA AFP
03 Aug 95 – 11 Sep 96
COL NESTOR C CASTILLO PA
11 Sep 96 – 21 Feb 00
BGEN JAIME L CANATOY PAF
21 Feb 00 – 15 May 01
Retired Philippine Air Force Brig. Gen. Jaime Canatoy, formerly the 17th Armed Forces Civil Relations Service commander.
Canatoy was a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1971, whose more famous graduates include Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former senator Gregorio Honasan.
He retired from military service on November 1, 2003. His last post was at the Philippine Air Force’s Air Reserve Command.
Retired Philippine Air Force Brig. Gen. Jaime Canatoy, formerly the 17th Armed Forces Civil Relations Service commander.
Canatoy was a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1971, whose more famous graduates include Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former senator Gregorio Honasan.
He retired from military service on November 1, 2003. His last post was at the Philippine Air Force’s Air Reserve Command.
BGEN EDILBERTO P ADAN AFP
15 May 01 – 16 Apr 02
Adan obtained his bachelor's degree from the Philippine Military Academy in 1972. He finished his MBA degree in 1979 from the Asian Institute of Management and took strategic level studies as an International Fellow of the US Army War College (Class of 1996) in Pennsylvania. He attended courses in Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, The George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies in Germany, and the Near East South Asia Center at the National Defense University in Washington D.C. He also studied conflict resolution at the U.S State Department, political warfare, and military operations in Australia. He has been a Fellow of the Institute for Corporate Directors since 2006.
Adan served key field and staff positions until his last assignment as the Commander of the Southern Command. Among the positions he held include: Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2004 to 2005; Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy from 2002 to 2004; Chief of the Civil Relations Service and Spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2001 to 2002. His field assignments include brigade, battalion, and company command in Mindanao.
His last assignment while in the active service was Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command.
Adan obtained his bachelor's degree from the Philippine Military Academy in 1972. He finished his MBA degree in 1979 from the Asian Institute of Management and took strategic level studies as an International Fellow of the US Army War College (Class of 1996) in Pennsylvania. He attended courses in Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, The George C. Marshall Center for Security Studies in Germany, and the Near East South Asia Center at the National Defense University in Washington D.C. He also studied conflict resolution at the U.S State Department, political warfare, and military operations in Australia. He has been a Fellow of the Institute for Corporate Directors since 2006.
Adan served key field and staff positions until his last assignment as the Commander of the Southern Command. Among the positions he held include: Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2004 to 2005; Superintendent, Philippine Military Academy from 2002 to 2004; Chief of the Civil Relations Service and Spokesman for the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2001 to 2002. His field assignments include brigade, battalion, and company command in Mindanao.
His last assignment while in the active service was Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Command.
COL JOSE A MENDOZA PAF
16 Apr 02 – 10 Jun 03
RADM EDGARDO M ISRAEL AFP
10 Jun 03 – 01 Oct 03
BGEN VICTOR N CORPUS AFP
01 Oct 03 – 15 Oct 04
Brigadier General Victor Navarro Corpus was born October 4, 1944 in San Pablo City, Laguna. His father was Col. Vicente Corpus of the AFP Medical Corps. He took his elementary and high school studies at De La Salle University, and then on his father's insistence, entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1963.
Corpus eventually graduated from PMA as part of the "Dimasupil" class of 1967. He entered the Philippine Army, where he received Airborne and Special Forces training. He later transferred to the Philippine Constabulary. Disgruntled by corruption in the armed forces, he opted for an asssignment as instructor at the PMA.
On 29 December 1970, Corpus formally defected to the New People's Army and led a raid on the PMA armory. Timing the raid when most cadets were out on Christmas vacation and the PMA's senior officers including its Superintendent, General Ugalde had left the camp to meet President Ferdinand Marcos upon his scheduled arrival in nearby Baguio City.
Corpus, who was PMA's designated officer of the day (OOD), guided the NPA raiding team which managed to escape with Browning Automatic Rifles, carbines, machineguns, and various other weapons and ammunition.
He is now best known for his 1970 defection from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the New People's Army of the Communist Party of the Philippines during the authoritarian regime of Ferdinand Marcos, for his defection from the NPA in 1976, his return to the AFP after the 1986 People Power Revolution, and his later role as chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of the AFP in May 2003, and retired with that rank when he reached retirement age on October of 2004.
Brigadier General Victor Navarro Corpus was born October 4, 1944 in San Pablo City, Laguna. His father was Col. Vicente Corpus of the AFP Medical Corps. He took his elementary and high school studies at De La Salle University, and then on his father's insistence, entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1963.
Corpus eventually graduated from PMA as part of the "Dimasupil" class of 1967. He entered the Philippine Army, where he received Airborne and Special Forces training. He later transferred to the Philippine Constabulary. Disgruntled by corruption in the armed forces, he opted for an asssignment as instructor at the PMA.
On 29 December 1970, Corpus formally defected to the New People's Army and led a raid on the PMA armory. Timing the raid when most cadets were out on Christmas vacation and the PMA's senior officers including its Superintendent, General Ugalde had left the camp to meet President Ferdinand Marcos upon his scheduled arrival in nearby Baguio City.
Corpus, who was PMA's designated officer of the day (OOD), guided the NPA raiding team which managed to escape with Browning Automatic Rifles, carbines, machineguns, and various other weapons and ammunition.
He is now best known for his 1970 defection from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to the New People's Army of the Communist Party of the Philippines during the authoritarian regime of Ferdinand Marcos, for his defection from the NPA in 1976, his return to the AFP after the 1986 People Power Revolution, and his later role as chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).
He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of the AFP in May 2003, and retired with that rank when he reached retirement age on October of 2004.
BGEN ALEXANDER B YANO AFP
15 Oct 04 – 05 Feb 05
Alexander Badong Yano was the 22nd commander of Civil Relations Service and latter became the 38th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the highest position in the AFP hierarchy.[1] His Vice Chief of Staff was Lt. Gen. Cardozo M. Luna and his Deputy Chief of Staff was Lt. Gen. Rodrigo F. Maclang.[2] Alexander Yano also served as the commander of the Philippine Army and Southern Luzon Command. He is also the first general born from Mindanao.
Alexander Yano was born to the late Iñigo Yano and Gloria Badong, both retired public school teachers of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. He is married to the former Estela Aragon from La Union, a retired military nurse, and blessed with a son, Ervin Andrew. “Alex” or “Boy” as he is fondly called is the eldest in a brood of 5, which include Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Brigadier General Cesar B. Yano, a diplomat in Washington D.C. and also a Philippine Military Academy Class 1980 graduate.
He graduated from the public elementary school of said town in 1965 as Salutatorian and later studied in high school in Saint Vincent’s College in Dipolog City and graduated with honors in 1969. He initially took up 3 years of Civil Engineering studies in Cebu Institute of Technology before taking the entrance examinations of the Philippine Military Academy. He entered the prestigious military institution in 1972 and graduated in 1976. As a PMA cadet, he excelled more in athletics and extra-curricular activities. Among others, he established two (2) PMA athletic records, in high jump and 400-meter low hurdles. The hurdles record remains unbroken up to this day. As a graduating cadet, he was also the Regimental Adjutant of the PMA Cadet Corps, a coveted position that aptly recognized his early leadership potentials.
He later on completed and topped in all his military trainings in the Philippines and abroad. Among these courses are the following: Special Forces Operations Course; Field Artillery Officers Course; Pre-Command Course for Battalion Commanders and the Command and General Staff Course. He also finished the Infantry Officers Advance Course in the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, and Georgia, United States and landed in the Commandant’s List as an Honor Graduate.
Upon graduation from PMA, Yano was commissioned and called to active duty with the Philippine Army. He spent his early years in the military service mostly in combat assignments in Northern and Central Luzon and the provinces of Samar during the height of the CPP/NPA rebellion in the 70s and 80s. Yano hugged the limelight when, as Task Force Zamboanga Chief, he acted as overall ground tactical commander during the infamous Cabatangan crisis in 2001 that led to the successful release of over a hundred civilian hostages and eventually liberated the Cabatangan Complex in Zamboanga City from over 300 fully armed MNLF Breakaway Group elements. This crucial battle earned him the moniker “Liberator of Cabatangan” from the late City Mayor – Maria Clara Lobregat.
After his duty tour in Zamboanga City, he was personally handpicked by then SOUTHCOM Chief Gen Roy Cimatu to command the 601st Army Brigade in SOCSARGEN at the height of terrorist bombings that rocked Gen Santos City in 2002. During his over two-year stint as Brigade Comdr, no single terrorist bombing occurred in General Santos City. He earned his 1st star-rank as Brigade Commander in 2003, the first in his PMA batch to become a General. He was also declared as “adopted son” of General Santos City in recognition of his invaluable contributions to that city.
He later served as Assistant Division Comdr of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol and concurrently as Chairperson of the Government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities with the MILF for his proven competence and abilities especially in understanding the intricacies of the Mindanao conflict. He then, briefly served as Chief of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service and concurrent AFP Spokesperson where he ably articulated the AFP’s position on various defence and security issues. With Gen. Generoso Senga as then Army Chief, Yano was personally plucked from Camp Aguinaldo to assume as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army where he earned his Second Star (MAJ General) in April 2005, again, the 1st to earn said rank in his class.
As a testament to his exemplary achievements, he received various military awards, including: 4 Distinguished Service Stars; Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer); 4 Outstanding Achievement Medals; Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in combat; Bronze Cross Medal and 27 Military Merit Medals. He had also been twice awarded as “Most Outstanding Zamboanga del Norte Citizen” in 2003 and in 2005. He received the “Outstanding Alumnus Award” from St Vincent’s College in Dipolog City in December 2005. Likewise, he was conferred the “PMA Achievement Award” by PMA in Baguio in November 2005.[4]
The Commission on Appointments (CA) finally confirmed on June 11, 2008, en masse several top government officials, including Yano amid walk outs by Senators Jamby Madrigal and Panfilo Lacson.[5]
On May 1, 2009, he retired one-month earlier and he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado of Philippine Army as the chief of staff. He's been appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as ambassador to Brunei Darrussalam. The reason for his early retirement is to prepare himself for the confirmation of his appointment by the Commission of Appointments by June 2009.
Alexander Badong Yano was the 22nd commander of Civil Relations Service and latter became the 38th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the highest position in the AFP hierarchy.[1] His Vice Chief of Staff was Lt. Gen. Cardozo M. Luna and his Deputy Chief of Staff was Lt. Gen. Rodrigo F. Maclang.[2] Alexander Yano also served as the commander of the Philippine Army and Southern Luzon Command. He is also the first general born from Mindanao.
Alexander Yano was born to the late Iñigo Yano and Gloria Badong, both retired public school teachers of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. He is married to the former Estela Aragon from La Union, a retired military nurse, and blessed with a son, Ervin Andrew. “Alex” or “Boy” as he is fondly called is the eldest in a brood of 5, which include Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attache Brigadier General Cesar B. Yano, a diplomat in Washington D.C. and also a Philippine Military Academy Class 1980 graduate.
He graduated from the public elementary school of said town in 1965 as Salutatorian and later studied in high school in Saint Vincent’s College in Dipolog City and graduated with honors in 1969. He initially took up 3 years of Civil Engineering studies in Cebu Institute of Technology before taking the entrance examinations of the Philippine Military Academy. He entered the prestigious military institution in 1972 and graduated in 1976. As a PMA cadet, he excelled more in athletics and extra-curricular activities. Among others, he established two (2) PMA athletic records, in high jump and 400-meter low hurdles. The hurdles record remains unbroken up to this day. As a graduating cadet, he was also the Regimental Adjutant of the PMA Cadet Corps, a coveted position that aptly recognized his early leadership potentials.
He later on completed and topped in all his military trainings in the Philippines and abroad. Among these courses are the following: Special Forces Operations Course; Field Artillery Officers Course; Pre-Command Course for Battalion Commanders and the Command and General Staff Course. He also finished the Infantry Officers Advance Course in the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, and Georgia, United States and landed in the Commandant’s List as an Honor Graduate.
Upon graduation from PMA, Yano was commissioned and called to active duty with the Philippine Army. He spent his early years in the military service mostly in combat assignments in Northern and Central Luzon and the provinces of Samar during the height of the CPP/NPA rebellion in the 70s and 80s. Yano hugged the limelight when, as Task Force Zamboanga Chief, he acted as overall ground tactical commander during the infamous Cabatangan crisis in 2001 that led to the successful release of over a hundred civilian hostages and eventually liberated the Cabatangan Complex in Zamboanga City from over 300 fully armed MNLF Breakaway Group elements. This crucial battle earned him the moniker “Liberator of Cabatangan” from the late City Mayor – Maria Clara Lobregat.
After his duty tour in Zamboanga City, he was personally handpicked by then SOUTHCOM Chief Gen Roy Cimatu to command the 601st Army Brigade in SOCSARGEN at the height of terrorist bombings that rocked Gen Santos City in 2002. During his over two-year stint as Brigade Comdr, no single terrorist bombing occurred in General Santos City. He earned his 1st star-rank as Brigade Commander in 2003, the first in his PMA batch to become a General. He was also declared as “adopted son” of General Santos City in recognition of his invaluable contributions to that city.
He later served as Assistant Division Comdr of the 9th Infantry Division in Bicol and concurrently as Chairperson of the Government Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities with the MILF for his proven competence and abilities especially in understanding the intricacies of the Mindanao conflict. He then, briefly served as Chief of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service and concurrent AFP Spokesperson where he ably articulated the AFP’s position on various defence and security issues. With Gen. Generoso Senga as then Army Chief, Yano was personally plucked from Camp Aguinaldo to assume as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army where he earned his Second Star (MAJ General) in April 2005, again, the 1st to earn said rank in his class.
As a testament to his exemplary achievements, he received various military awards, including: 4 Distinguished Service Stars; Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Officer); 4 Outstanding Achievement Medals; Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in combat; Bronze Cross Medal and 27 Military Merit Medals. He had also been twice awarded as “Most Outstanding Zamboanga del Norte Citizen” in 2003 and in 2005. He received the “Outstanding Alumnus Award” from St Vincent’s College in Dipolog City in December 2005. Likewise, he was conferred the “PMA Achievement Award” by PMA in Baguio in November 2005.[4]
The Commission on Appointments (CA) finally confirmed on June 11, 2008, en masse several top government officials, including Yano amid walk outs by Senators Jamby Madrigal and Panfilo Lacson.[5]
On May 1, 2009, he retired one-month earlier and he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado of Philippine Army as the chief of staff. He's been appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as ambassador to Brunei Darrussalam. The reason for his early retirement is to prepare himself for the confirmation of his appointment by the Commission of Appointments by June 2009.
BGEN JOSE ANGEL A HONRADO AFP
05 Feb 05 – 24 Jan 06
BGEN JAIME B BUENAFLOR AFP
24 Jan 06 – 11 Aug 11
Brig. Gen. Jaime Buenaflor (PMA ’77) who was named AFP deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, an office which was recently revived after a year of disbandment. Buenaflor's post will go to Commodore Amable Tolentino (PMA '74) who is presently posted as the chief of the military's Office for Legislative Affairs.
Brig. Gen. Jaime Buenaflor (PMA ’77) who was named AFP deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, an office which was recently revived after a year of disbandment. Buenaflor's post will go to Commodore Amable Tolentino (PMA '74) who is presently posted as the chief of the military's Office for Legislative Affairs.
COMMO AMABLE B TOLENTINO AFP
11 Aug 11 – 04 Mar 07