The Philippine Army welcomed Brig. Gen. Leodevic B. Guinid as its new Vice Commander, replacing the outgoing Vice Commander and concurrent Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Commander Maj. Gen. Steve D. Crespillo in a Change of Chief of Office Ceremony, presided by Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy M. Galido, at the Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on September 29, 2023.
Before his designation, Brig. Gen. Guinid served as the Commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, Philippine Army. He also held various positions such as Commander of Joint Special Operations Group, Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in 2020; Chief of Staff, SOCOM in 2018; and Commanding Officer of the 61st Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in 2008. Brig. Gen. Guinid is a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Bigkis-Lahi" Class of 1990 and holds a Master in Public Management from Development Academy of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Vice Commander, Maj. Gen. Steve D. Crespillo held various positions as Commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division in 2021; Chief of Staff and Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) in 2017; Chief of Unified Command Staff of WestMinCom in 2016; and Commanding Officer of the 54th Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division. He also belongs to the PMA Class of 1990 and holds a Master In Development Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management and a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management from the College of Saint Benilde.
In his key note speech, the Army chief challenged the new Vice Commander, Philippine Army of a greater task ahead of managing the senior officers and the much need capability upgrade of the organization in its mission accomplishment. “I need your support, your understanding, and your critical thinking on how to do things differently for the benefit of our organization,” Lt. Gen. Galido underscored.
Photos by Cpl. Rodgen Quirante, OACPA