Army shakes up Mindanao command twice in 11 days
CAGAYAN DE ORO—In a rare and unexpected move, the Philippine Army has again changed the leadership of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, replacing its newly installed commander just 11 days after he assumed post.
Army Chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete flew to Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday afternoon to install Maj. Gen. Marlon Angcao as the new commander of the 7,000-strong division, replacing Brig. Gen. Siegfred Tubalado, who had only been designated acting commander on April 29.
Nafarrete said Angcao’s appointment papers had been delayed in Malacañang, prompting the Army to temporarily assign Tubalado to ensure uninterrupted leadership.
“We were left with no choice and it was a good thing General Tubalado agreed to serve as acting 4ID commander, even for a short time,” Nafarrete said during the change-of-command ceremony at the Division Officers’ Club.
Key formation
The 4ID is a key Army formation in Mindanao, leading operations against the remaining strongholds of communist insurgents in the region.
Tubalado had earlier replaced retiring Maj. Gen. Michele Anayron Jr., his classmate from the Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992.
Angcao previously served as the Army assistant chief of staff for operations.
