Negrense Maj. Gen.Victor Ibrado has been promoted to lieutenant general, making him a strong contender for the position of commanding general of the 82,000-strong Philippine Army.

Military records show that the promotion of Ibrado, commanding general of the Armed Forces Central Command that supervises the entire AFP units in Visayas, took effect Jan. 1, after it was approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, military spokesman Lt.Col. Bartolome Bacarro said.

Ibrado, of Talisay City , Negros Occidental, was promoted to major general only last year after he assumed command of the 3 rd Infantry Division.

A senior military officer who requested anonymity, said that if Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano makes it as a successor of AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, the position of Army commander will be a tight race between Ibrado and his mistah, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, commander of the AFP Northern Luzon Command.

Esperon bows out from the military service Feb. 9 when he reaches the mandatory age retirement of 56, unless his term is extended by President Arroyo, the military officer told the DAILY STAR.

Ibrado served as commander of the 11 th Infantry Battalion from 1992-1994 and later as 303 rd Infantry Brigade from 2002-2003 in Negros island

Other key positions he has occupied after his assignment in Negros are as chief of the Army Intelligence Group, commander of the Special Forces Regiment, Army chief of staff and commanding general of the Special Operations Command, which supervises Army' elite units such as Special Forces, Scout Rangers and counter-terrorist unit Light Reaction Battalion.*GPB

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