New Eastmincom chief to assume post next week

DAVAO CITY -- The newly-appointed Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander will assume his post next week.

Major Ezra Balagtey, Eastmincom spokesperson, said Friday Major Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, will assume his new post on Monday.

Santos was appointed this week by President Rodrigo R. Duterte upon the recommendation of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Balagtey said Santos is described as a "strategist who is not new to the situation in Mindanao."

“Santos is adept to the wide range of peace and security programs, having been assigned with the strategic offices of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) dealing with operations, intelligence and civil-military operations, he added.

He will replace Major Gen. Ronald Villanueva, who assumed in an acting capacity following the assumption of Gen. Benjamin Madrigal as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff.

Santos once headed the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao City and subsequently became the group commander of the Army's Intelligence Service Group.

Santos also served the 39th Infantry Battalion, a unit deployed to various provinces in Mindanao; the 703rd Infantry Brigade in Central Luzon; battalion commander of the 63rd Infantry Battalion in Samar province; and as assistant division commander of 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao. (PNA)