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Visayas Command, AFP | |
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Active | 01 December 2001 (Celebrated Founding) |
Country | Philippines |
Role | Conventional and Unconventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations |
Part of | Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines |
Garrison/HQ | Camp LapuLapu, Barangay Apas, Cebu City |
Nickname(s) | VISCOM |
Patron | St. Jude Thaddaeus |
Motto(s) | "Committed to Serve for Lasting Peace and Progress in the Visayas" |
Anniversaries | 01 December |
Engagements | Internal Security Operations or Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and local criminal elements |
Website | www.centcomafp.com |
Commanders | |
Current commander | LtGen. Fernando M. Reyeg, PA [1] |
Notable commanders | Maj. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado AFP Maj. Gen. Romulo F. Yap AFP Maj. Gen. Jaime S. De Los Santos AFP Maj. Gen. Julius L. Javier AFP Lt. Gen. Emmanuel R. Teodosio AFP Lt. Gen. Samuel B. Bagasin AFP Lt. Gen. Cardozo M. Luna AFP Maj. Gen. Victor A. Mayo AFP Lt. Gen. Dionisio R. Santiago AFP Lt. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao AFP Lt. Gen. Roberto T. Ancan PA |
Insignia | |
Identification symbol | Central Command Emblem |
The Visayas Command (abbrv. as VISCOM) is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of all the visayas islands. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency. It was formerly known as the Central Command (CENTCOM) before being effectively renamed on 11 August 2021 based on the approved memorandum from the Department of National Defense.
On May 17, 1942, the 3rd Military Area (3MA), the original unit of the present-day Central Command, was organized and activated as a wartime military unit under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) to provide an effective defense against the Japanese invaders. The 3MA provided command and control to all allied forces including Filipino scouts and guerillas in the Visayas and Mindanao region. Its headquarters then was at Camp Guadalupe in what is now Barangay Guadalupe. After the war, the 3MA was transferred to its present location in Camp Lapu-Lapu in what was then the Lahug District of Cebu City. The foundation of the present Barangay Apas and the subsequent evolution of neighboring barangays into highly urbanized areas took their roots from the establishment of Camp Lapu-Lapu. From being the 3MA Headquarters, the place metamorphosed into several military headquarters after the Second World War. It was the Battalion Combat Team in the 1950s and then later as CEMCOM that covered the Mindanao military operation during the Muslim rebellion in the 1970s. Later, the place became home of the 3rd Brigade Separate with former President Fidel V Ramos then as a Philippine Army general, serving as one of its commanders prior to his stint as a PC Chief. Subsequently, the area became home to the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army in 1975. Further reorganization of the AFP in the late 80s, transferred the 3ID to Jamindan, Capiz, and the subsequent creation of the Regional Unified Command (RUC). The RUC later merged with other regional commands to form the Visayas Command (VISCOM). VISCOM was organized as an operating unit of the AFP to control Internal Security Operation (ISO) in the Visayas, which then became the forefather of the present-day Central Command (CENTCOM), AFP. [2]
On August 11, 2021, the name of the Central Command was reverted to its original name as the Visayas Command. [3]
The following are the units that are under the Visayas Command.
Lapu-Lapu City, officially the City of Lapu-Lapu, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 497,604.
The 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, nicknamed Tabak Division, is the Philippine Army's primary infantry unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare. The division has been involved in combating terrorists in Southern Mindanao.
The 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army nicknamed Jungle Fighter, is the Philippine Army's primary infantry unit specializing in jungle warfare.
The Eastern Mindanao Command is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of the Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga regions. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency. It is also one of the government organizations advocating the "Culture of Peace" in Mindanao.
The Southern Luzon Command is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of the Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the Bicol region but excludes the Palawan Islands. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency.
The Northern Luzon Command is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, including the Scarborough Shoal and the Benham Rise. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency.
The Western Mindanao Command is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the BARMM. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency. It is also one of the government organizations advocating the "Culture of Peace" in Mindanao.
The National Capital Regional Command, known officially as the NCRCom or NCRC, is one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' former Wide Support Commands Combating Terrorism-Insurgency and act as support units to the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region in maintaining peace and order within Metro Manila. They also support SoLCom in anti-dissidence operations in Cavite and Laguna.
The Reserve Command is a major support command of the Philippine Army. It was created for the sole purpose of reserve force management, organization and Government Arsenal procurement.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College, known officially as the AFPCGSC or GSC, is one of the training units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It is tasked with training future generals, as well as general and command staff, and developing doctrine, training materials and courses for the AFP.
The 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, also called the Agila Division, is one of the Philippine Army's infantry units in Mindanao.
The 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Storm Trooper Division, is one of the Philippine Army's Infantry units in the Visayas and under the AFP Central Command, combating local communist insurgent units, and terrorists.
The 3rd Infantry Division, also known as the Spearhead Division, is a unit of the Philippine Army, based at Camp Gen Macario Peralta Jr in Jamindan, Capiz, Philippines.
The Air Force Reserve Command, known officially as the AIR RESCOM or RESCOM, is one of the Philippine Air Force's Major Support Commands created for the sole purpose of Reserve Force management, procurement, and organization.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command, known officially as the AFP RESCOM or RESCOM, is one of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Major Support Commands created for the sole purpose of Reserve Force management, procurement, and organization.
The 61st Division of the Philippine Army was an infantry division from the 1941 to 1942.
Emmanuel Trinidad Bautista is a Filipino general who served as the 44th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as he succeeded Gen. Jessie Dellosa as AFP Chief. He served as the Executive Director of the Cabinet Cluster on Security, Justice, and Peace at the Office of the President, Malacañang. His appointment as Undersecretary at the Office of the President was from 1 September 2014 to 22 June 2020 shortly after retirement from the military service as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. Concurrently, he headed the National Task Force on the Whole of Nation Initiative and was also the executive Director of the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea. He was succeeded by Gregorio Pio Catapang as AFP chief.
The Civil Military Affairs Brigade (Reserve) is one of the units of the Technical Services Reserve Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command, and is based in Quezon City. The unit provides combat support and service support services to AFP Reserve Force Maneuver Units operating within the National Capital Region, conduct community development operations, civil-military operations and co-operations in support of the IPSP Bayanihan.
The 11th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, also called the Alakdan Division, is one of the Philippine Army's infantry units in Mindanao. Currently still forming, the Division is expected to complete its equipment and manpower requirements by 2022. It is the youngest of all the infantry divisions of the Army and will have 4,500 troops when fully formed.
Camp Lapu-Lapu is a military installation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the Lahug District of Cebu City, Philippines. It is currently the headquarters of the AFP Visayas Command, although in October 2022 it was announced that the AFP Visayas Command would relocate their headquarters after the Cebu provincial government announced that they would take back the land on which the camp stands.