CGPA installs new Army Reserve Command commander
FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) installed a new commander of the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) here yesterday, August 19, 2021.
Maj. Gen. Andres Centino presided the Change of Command Ceremony and turnover of leadership from outgoing ARESCOM Acting Commander Col. Noel Plaza to incoming Brig. Gen. Fernando Felipe.
Brig. Gen. Felipe was commissioned in 1988 through RA 2334. Before being assigned in ARESCOM, Brig. Gen. Felipe was the commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Munitions Control Center. Brig. Gen. Felipe held various key positions in the 2nd Regional Community Defense Group, ARESCOM from 1996 to 1999; and in the Training and Doctrine Command as instructor duty from 2002 to 2004. Being a graduate of AB English from Corregidor College, Brig. Gen. Felipe also holds a Master in Business Administration and a Master in Public Management Program major in Development Security.
Col. Plaza, who is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989, will be assigned in the 4th Infantry Division. During his short stint as the Acting ARESCOM Commander and Deputy ARESCOM since 2020, Col. Plaza played a significant part in reserve force development. Among the innovations highlight the role of Community Defense Centers in local security and development; rationalization and improvement of Ready Reserve and Standby Reserve organization and capabilities; and the establishment of Regional Evacuation and Mobilization Centers, as well as the submission of a template of facilities of Community Defense Centers.
The Army currently has more than 45,000 ready reserves and 681,000 standby reserves who have been a great help in the successful implementation of development support and security operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines especially in its humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.
“As the Philippine Army’s citizen Army-Builder, as well as the Army’s force multiplier, your role is essential to the success of our overall mission, which is to defeat the enemy and win peace for our country,” said Maj. Gen. Centino.#