Army Brig. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, commanding general of the 303rd Infantry Brigade has been designated as incoming assistant to the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations effective Feb. 25.

The designation took place even as some senior military officers were placed under investigation for their alleged participation in moves to oust President Arroyo in the past three days.

Fojas, a classmate of Brig. Gen. Nelson Allaga, the newly-installed Marine commandant, stressed last night before leaving for Manila to assume his new post, that his transfer to Camp Aguinaldo has "nothing to do" with the ongoing events in Metro Manila.

Col. Bonifacio de Castro, 303rd IB deputy commander, has temporarily assumed the position vacated by Fojas.

Other classmates of Fojas are Brig. Gen. Victor Ibrado - Army's chief of staff, Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil - Northern Police District chief, Brig. Gen. Jeoffrey Sodusta - deputy commander of the AFP Southern Luzon command.

Fojas had hinted about his transfer to Camp Aguinaldo last month.

Col. Jerry Jalandoni, former 604th Infantry Brigade commander, and Col. Gregorio Fajardo, Task Force Panay commander, are among those being eyed to replace Fojas as 303rd IB commander.

Fajardo said the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion remains intact, and is presently actively involved in counter-insurgency operations in Panay island. Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, commander of the Scout Ranger Regiment, was placed under the custody of AFP chief Generoso Senga for his alleged participation in the foiled "coup attempt."

The Army's 3rd Infantry Division with units stationed in Panay, Negros, Cebu and Bohol, also reiterated their unwavering support to the administration of President Arroyo, and to strictly follow the chain of command, Army regional spokesman Maj. Lyndon Sollesta said.

Two Army battalion commanders assigned in Negros - Lt. Col. Jess Manangquil and Lt. Col. Norman Flores - also echoed their statements.*GPB

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