FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army installs two new Chiefs for Army Public Affairs and Dental Surgeon in a Joint Change of Chiefs of Office Ceremony here Friday, Feb. 22, 2019.
The ceremony was presided by the Chief of Staff, Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Jesus B. Sarsagat. He led the traditional turnover of the command symbols from the outgoing Lt. Col. Louie D. Villanueva to incoming Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala for the Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs; and from the predecessor Col. Jeffrey M. Belagan to the successor Col. Ronaldo A. Soriano for the Office of the Army Chief Dental Surgeon.
Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala was a graduate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Training Center Officer Candidate School “Balikatan” Class 12 of 1994. He is a member of Special Forces and Airborne and finished Public Affairs Qualification Course in Maryland, United States of America. He also holds a degree in AB Political Science in De La Salle University and a Master’s degree in Military and Defense Studies in Australia.
Prior to his post, he served as Chief in the Public Affairs Office of the Armed forces of the Philippines in 2013. Subsequently, he was assigned as the Commanding Officer of 28th Infantry “Kamagong” Batallion and as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations of the 10th Infantry “Agila” Division all in Davao region.
On the other hand, Col. Ronaldo A. Soriano finished his Technical Service Basic Course (Military Phase) at Dental Service Training School, Armed Forces of the Philippines. Before he was commissioned in the Army, he already holds Doctorate Degree on Dental Medicine. His qualification landed him to be assigned not only in the Army but also in the Air Force. He was also designated as the Acting Chief Dental Service, AFP before assuming as Commanding Officer of 1301st Dental Detachment of AFP.
The outgoing Lt. Col. Louie D. Villanueva who served as the Philippine Army spokesperson from January 2018 will be reassigned at the Training and Doctrine Command of the Philippine Army.
While Col. Jeffrey M. Belagan who rendered more than three decades of service in dental service is set to vow out from the service after reaching the compulsory retirement age set forth by the AFP.
The Office of the Army Chief Public Affairs is established to disseminate helpful information among the Army, its stakeholders and to the public. Whereas, the Office of the Army Chief Surgeon exists to provide quality dental care among the Army personnel and their dependents.
Maj. Gen. Sarsagat challenged the workforce of the two offices to provide genuine support to the newly installed chiefs in order to sustain the momentum in building the Army’s capacity as a formidable force provider.
The Philippine Army critically places its leaders to continuously provide its forces a leadership that will relentlessly endeavor towards mission accomplishment in support to its transformational journey as a world-class Army.#
