Army chief turns over previous command

MANILA, July 31 (PNA) - Army chief Maj. Gen. Arturo B. Ortiz turned over the leadership of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to its new commander in a Change of Command Ceremony held in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija Thursday with AFP (Armed Force of the Philippines) chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr., as the guest of honor and speaker and presiding officer, the Army reported Friday

Ortiz served as the SOCOM Commander before he assumed as the 53rd Commanding General of the Philippine Army on July 23.

Ortiz turned over the command to Brig. Gen. Roberto L. Morales, who is leaving his post as Commander of the Special Forces Regiment. Morales will be replaced by Col. Aminkadra S. Undug.

SOCOM is composed of the Special Forces units of the Philippine Army namely: the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), and the Light Reaction Battalion (LRB).

The FSRR specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare. It conducts special operations in support of AFP internal security operations. The FSRR was founded by Lt. Gen. Rafael Ileto in 1950.

The Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), on the other hand, was established by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 1960s. SFRA is primarily trained in both unconventional and psychological warfare.

Meanwhile, the LRB is the counter-terrorist unit of the Philippine Army that was officially activated on February 2004.

On Monday, a Joint Change of Chiefs of Office Ceremony of The Inspector General Philippine Army and Office of the Chief of Staff, Philippine Army was held at the Headquarters Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila.

Former Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen William S. Campos assumed as the Army Inspector General, replacing Brig. Gen Rolito Abad; while Brig. Gen. Renato A. David assumed as the Army Chief of Staff.

In his assumption speech, Ortiz emphasized that commanders will be carefully selected based largely on character, competence and capacity to perform assigned missions and tasks.

"The Command, believing on the experience and wisdom of the newly designated general officers, has its high confidence that these changes shall contribute to the fulfillment of the Army’s thrusts and mission," said Army spokesman Maj. Ronaldo Jess Alcudia. (PNA)
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