Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro announced yesterday the appointment of Negrense Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado as the new commanding general of the 82,000-strong Philippine Army that was approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ibrado, of Sagay City, Negros Occidental, was chosen from the list of three nominees that included Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang who was designated as Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Cardoso Luna who was also named AFP vice-chief of staff, military records show.

Ibrado will replace Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano who was recently designated as AFP chief of staff, replacing Gen. Hermogenes Esperon whose term of office has been extended by President Arroyo to May 14.

The incoming Army chief yesterday vowed a "back-to-basics" policy that stresses military discipline in the largest branch of service of the AFP.

Ibrado, who used to command the Army’s elite Special Operations Command, which supervises the Scout Rangers and Special Forces Regiments and the US-trained Light Reaction Battalion, said "We will emphasize going back-to-basics, especially on military discipline".

Ibrado also vowed not to condone or tolerate abuses of soldiers, as he promised to assist in the prosecution of guilty individuals.

Ranking military and police officers who used to be assigned in Negros, yesterday hailed the designation of Ibrado as the new Army chief.

Brig. Gen. Gregorio Fajardo, assistant 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, said “We are very happy for his designation. The whole 3rd ID fully supports his leadership as the new commanding general of the Philippine Army.”

Col. Honorato de los Reyes, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said Ibrado is a professional officer and qualified to lead the Philippine Army.

Col. Ademar Tomaro, chief of the Army’s Special Services Unit, also a Negrense, said the appointment of Ibrado signifies the emerging of new Army leaders.

Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, chief of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, said, “Ibrado is the best choice and the Philippine Army is in good hands”.

“We members of the Philippine Military Academy “Magilas” Class of 1976 support him to the fullest”, he added.

Military records also showed that Ibrado served as commander of the 11th Infantry Battalion, 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros island, Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, before he was named SOCOM and AFP Central Command chief.

Teodoro said Air Force Lt. Gen. Pedro Ike Insierto will replace Ibrado as CENTCOM chief, while Maclang, chief of Northern Luzon, will be the AFP deputy chief of staff.

Lt. Gen. Antonio Romero, AFP vice-chief of staff, will be replaced by Luna.

Yano, Ibrado, Maclang, Bataoil and Major General Jogy Leo Fojas, former commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade who is now the chief of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division, are members of the PMA Class “76, and Teodoro is their adopted "mistah".*GPB

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