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Western Mindanao Command | |
---|---|
Active | August 28, 2006 - Present |
Country | Philippines |
Role | Conventional and Unconventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations |
Part of | Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines |
Garrison/HQ | Camp General Navarro, Zamboanga City |
Nickname(s) | WestMinCom |
Motto(s) | Kapayaan Peace |
Anniversaries | August 28 |
Engagements | Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA, MILF, ASG, and local criminal elements |
Commanders | |
Current commander | LtGen. William Gonzales, AFP [1] |
Notable commanders | LtGen. Eugenio Cedo, AFP LtGen. Nelson Allaga, AFP LtGen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., AFP LtGen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, AFP |
Insignia | |
Unit Patch | Western Mindanao Command Emblem |
The Western Mindanao Command (abbrv. as WESTMINCOM) 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 following are the units that are under the Western Mindanao Command.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are the military forces of the Philippines. It consists of three main service branches; the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy. The President of the Philippines is the Commander-in-Chief of the AFP and forms military policy with the Department of National Defense, an executive department acting as the principal organ by which military policy is carried out, while the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines serves as the overall commander and the highest-ranking officer in the AFP.
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 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 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Star Division, is the Philippine Army's primary infantry unit in Northern Luzon, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare.
The Visayas Command 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.
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.
Eduardo Manahan Año is a Filipino public official and retired general of the Philippine Army who currently serves as the National Security Adviser under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos since 2023. He previously served as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte from 2018 to 2022, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2016 to 2017, and the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from 2015 to 2016. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Año, along with the rest of the Philippine government's Cabinet Secretaries, became part of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a task force formed to advise the President on the strategies which would effectively manage the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Carlito Guancing Galvez Jr. is a retired Philippine Army general serving as the Senior Undersecretary and briefly as officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense since 2023 and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process since 2018. He also served as the Chief Implementer of the Philippines' Declared National Policy Against COVID-19. In November 2020, he was appointed as the country's COVID-19 vaccine czar, and was responsible for leading the government's efforts in bringing into the country about 245.23 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of May 2022 beginning in 2021 despite the global vaccine shortage. Prior to this, he also previously served as the 50th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from April to December 2018.
Benjamin Rasgo Madrigal Jr. is a retired Philippine Army general serving as the Administrator of the Philippine Coconut Authority under the Duterte administration since January 2020. He previously served as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from December 2018 to September 2019. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sandiwa" Class of 1985, along with his predecessor Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.
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.
Felimon Talusan Santos Jr. is a retired Filipino general who served as the former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Prior to his appointment, he served as the commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, and the 7th Infantry Division. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.
Antonio Gumba Parlade Jr. is a former Filipino military officer who retired as commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command in 2021, and was best known for his combative terms as spokesman for the Philippine Army before he was removed from that post in 2011, and later, as spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
Jose Calingasan Faustino Jr. is a retired Philippine Army general who previously served as Senior Undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense.
Romeo Saturnino Brawner Jr. is a Philippine Army general who has served as the 60th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines since July 21, 2023. Prior to his appointment to the post, Brawner previously served as the 64th Commanding General of the Philippine Army.
Roy Mabagos Galido is a Philippine Army officer who serves as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army since 7 August 2023. Prior to his appointment, Galido's previous commands include the Western Mindanao Command, the 6th Infantry Division and the 601st Infantry Brigade.