MGEN LUGA ACCEPTS NEW POST AS SOLCOM COMMANDER

MGEN ALAN R LUGA AFP (center) formally receives the saber from the Chief of Staff Armed Forces of the Philippines GEN JESSE DELLOSA AFP (left) as the outgoing SOLCOM COMMANDER, MGEN EDUARDO D DEL ROSARIO AFP (right) looks on during the Turn Over Ceremony in Camp Guillermo Nakar Lucena City, Sept, 28, 2012.

Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City- MAJOR GENERAL ALAN R LUGA ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES (AFP) formally installed as the new Commander of Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) on September 28, 2012, replacing Acting SOLCOM Commander MGEN EDUARDO D DEL ROSARIO during the Turn over Ceremony in Camp Guillermo Nakar, Lucena City.

Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa Armed Forces of The Philippines (AFP) presided over the Change of Command Ceremony before the distinguished guests, visitors, and representatives from different Local Government Units (LGUs) in Quezon Province.

Also present during the Ceremony were Commander, 9^th Infantry Division, MGEN Romeo V. Calizo AFP, BGEN Rolando G Jungco AFP, Adjutant General, Brigade and Battalion Commanders in AOR, and military officers from the 7^th ID were also invited during the occasion.

The Outgoing SOLCOM Commander MGEN DEL ROSARIO, in his speech, said that his experience as Acting Commander of SOLCOM was rewarding for two reasons.

“I validate that leading a Battalion, Brigade and Unified Command is basically similar as long as one follow the Chain of Command, and second, we have emphasize to the Command the importance of Bayanihan in all tactical levels,” he said.

The Outgoing Acting Commander, further expressed that the biggest challenge for him during his term was when he was designated as Task Force Kalihim purposely organized for the conduct of Search and Rescue Operation during the ill fated accident of the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo and two other pilots that crashed off shore of Masbate Island last Aug. 18.

“The experience was rewarding because aside from the fact that the Government tapped the AFP in the conduct of SAR, the collaborated efforts of the AFP, PNP, Philippine Coast Guards and assistance rendered by more than 500 volunteers, had successfully recovered the bodies of Sec Robredo and the two other pilots,” MGEN DEL ROSARIO said. MGEN DEL ROSARIO served SOLCOM for two months and 12 days since he assumed position last July 16.

Meanwhile, the new SOLCOM Commander, MGEN LUGA stated that he is both excited and inspired to face the challenges ahead of him as SOLCOM Commander. He said that together, we will work within the framework of “bayanihan” while strengthening the alliances to different stakeholders and civil societies in AOR. He added, “In all our undertakings, discipline should be our guiding principles. As professional soldiers, we are bound to promote, protect and defend human rights. Let us do it not because we are required by law but because it is the right thing to do.”

MGEN LUGA was the former Commander of 7^th ID based in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. Before he assumed the post, he was the Chairman of the Government Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) which implements peace negotiations with different armed group particularly in Mindanao in 2011. MGEN LUGA was also the former Commander of the 802nd Brigade, 8^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (PA) from Feb 10, 2009 to Dec 04, 2010. During his tenure as Brigade Commander, Gen Luga played a very significant role when Bohol was freed from insurgency in March 2010 through strong collaboration with the civilian government-led campaign against the NPA. MGEN LUGA was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1981.

Son of a retired general of the AFP and hailed from Iba, Zambales, MGEN LUGA is also happily married to former Miss Lilibeth Maria Ebarle and blessed with two daughters and son, namely:  Gia Leanne, Bea Sarah, and son Alan Joseph. 

Meanwhile, CSAFP GEN DELLOSA, congratulates MGEN DEL ROSARIO for steering in a very professional SOLCOM organization despite the short period of time.

“Saksi ang bayan sa kabayanihan at dedikasyon na ipinakita mo (MGEN DEL ROSARIO) sa pagsagawa mo sa iyong tungkulin. Sa iyong pamumuno, naipakita ng SOLCOM ang kakayahan nito mapa kalamidad man o sa kahit ano pang pagsubok,” said DELLOSA.

Furthermore, the new SOLCOM Commander extended his gratitude to former SOLCOM Commanders. “I personally thank MGEN EDUARDO D DEL ROSARIO, GEN ROLAND M DETABALI and other former SOLCOM Commanders for they have set the foundation of “IPSP BAYANIHAN” effectively in Southern Luzon…their sterling accomplishments have provided me with base camps from where I shall begin my long journey,” said SOLCOM Commander MGEN LUGA. (COL GLBOLINA, PA/PIA Sorsogon)