• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Armed Forces of the Philippines honored Brig. Gen. Eliglen Villaflor, first commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), for his contribution to both internal and external security operations of the AFP for three years, on December 12, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Villaflor, JSOC which was formerly the Joint Special Operations Group, supported the AFP Internal Defense and Security Operations, by conducting 52 joint operations from 2022 to 2025, that led to the neutralization of high-value targets and the recovery of firearms, explosives, and critical equipment.
Villaflor, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1992, retired from military service on Dec. 13, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 57.
He was replaced by Brig. Gen. Rosendo Abad Jr., who previously served as commander of the Special Forces Regiment of the Philippine Army, a position occupied by Villaflor, before he assumed command of the JSOC.
AFP chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. presided over the change of command and retirement ceremony of the JSOC, honoring Villaflor and officially installing Abad as its new commander.
Brawner commended Brig. Gen Villaflor for contributions to the AFP as he retires after decades of honorable service.
“Covering JSOC’s foundational accomplishments and JSOC’s emerging contributions, you have been the cornerstone of this Command’s growth and success. In your stint, you have exemplified continuity, innovation, and dedication through this pivotal period,” Brawner told Villaflor.
He also emphasized the importance of the leadership transition in consolidating JSOC’s foundation as a newly activated command established in May to institutionalize jointness and enhance the AFP’s operational readiness amid evolving security challenges.
Brawner also welcomed BGen Abad as the new JSOC commander, citing his extensive experience in special operations and leadership within the Special Forces.
He expressed confidence that JSOC will continue to strengthen joint interoperability and advance the AFP’s defense and security posture under his command.
Villaflor, a Negrense, served as a commander of the Special Forces unit while being assigned in northern Negros.*
