• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two former Army officers assigned in Negros Island are now assigned in Mindanao with higher positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
On August 9, Brig. Gen. Leonardo Peña, former Assistant Division Commander of 3rd Infantry Division, became the new commander of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division, with headquarters in Jolo, Sulo.
Peña, who formerly served also as commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade in Negros Oriental, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1991.He is a classmate of Brig. Gen. Michael Samson, commander of the 301st Infantry Brigade, in Iloilo, Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Negros Occidental, and Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, 3ID commander.
Last month, Maj. Gen. Antonio Nafarette also assumed command of the 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao del Norte.
Nafarette, who used to be assigned as commander of the elite 1st Scout Ranger Battalion formerly stationed in central Negros, belongs to PMA Class 1990.
As of this time, it was not yet determined who will succeed Peña as 3ID Assistant Division commander.
The 3ID supervises three Army infantry brigades stationed in Negros and Panay islands.*GPB
