The Philippine Army installed a new Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, G5 in a turnover ceremony today, January 18, 2022, at the Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Roberto Capulong led the ceremonial turnover of the office symbol from the outgoing OG5 chief, Col. Rommel Cordova to the incoming chief, Col. Benjamin Leander.
Prior to his assumption, Col. Leander was then the deputy of the Army's OG5. He also served as the chief of the Anti-Terrorist Division (ATD) of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, OJ2, Armed Forces of Philippines, and the commander of the Army's 27th Infantry Battalion under 10th Infantry Divison. Col. Leander is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Marilag" Class of 1995. He holds a Master of Strategic Affairs from the Australian National University and a Master in Public Management from the Development Academy of the Philippines. He completed the AFP Command and General Staff Course in 2015.
Meanwhile, Col. Cordova assumed as the newly installed Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, AJ5 of the AFP. Col. Cordova is a member of the PMA “Maalab” Class of 1993. He holds a Master in Business Management from the Makati-based Asian Institute of Management; a Master of Strategic Studies from the Australian National University; and a Master in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines. Further, he topped the AFP Command and General Staff Course in 2013. In addition, Col. Cordova served as the assistant chief of staff for training and education of the 3rd Infantry Division; executive officer of the Army Governance and Strategic Management Office; and as chief of the Policy Studies Division of the AFP Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (AFP, OSSSM).
Maj. Gen. Capulong lauded Col. Cordova for his significant role in the supervision of the publication of numerous strategic documents aligned with the strategic planning logic. Also, the CSPA commended him for facilitating the development of the first PA War Plan, ‘Tagnawa-aPa,’ which serves as a ground defense strategy against a possible major state adversary; the PA Medium-Term Capability Development Plan 2022-2028; and the PA Future Force 2034 which will guide the Army in its future force structure development.
Maj. Gen. Capulong called on Col. Leander as the newly installed Army chief for plans to lead the updating of both the Landpower Manuever Concept, the Army’s mainland defense strategy handbook, and the PA Strategic Planning Guide.
“Congratulations to both of you. To Col. Cordova, I trust that you will serve in the Higher Headquarters with the same intensity you have shown here in HPA. The AFP is lucky to have you as one of its newest pillars. To Col. Leander, we will see each other as we continue with our work here in HPA,” the CSPA remarked. #
Photo: Pvt Adriel Paglinawan PA/OACPA
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