AFP Visayas Command explained

Dates:	01 December 2001 (Celebrated Founding)
Country:	Philippines
Role:	Conventional and Unconventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations
Command Structure:	Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Garrison:	Camp LapuLapu, Barangay Apas, Cebu City
Nickname:	VISCOM
Patron:	St. Jude Thaddaeus
Motto:	"Committed to Serve for Lasting Peace and Progress in the Visayas"
Anniversaries:	01 December
Battles:	Internal Security Operations or Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA and local criminal elements
Current Commander:	LtGen. Fernando M. Reyeg, PA^[1]
Notable Commanders:	Maj. Gen. Victor S. Ibrado AFP Maj. Gen. Romulo F. Yap AFP Maj. Gen. Jaime S. De Los Santos AFP Maj. Gen. Julius L. Javier AFP Lt. Gen. Emmanuel R. Teodosio AFP Lt. Gen. Samuel B. Bagasin AFP Lt. Gen. Cardozo M. Luna AFP Maj. Gen. Victor A. Mayo AFP Lt. Gen. Dionisio R. Santiago AFP Lt. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao AFP Lt. Gen. Roberto T. Ancan PA
Website:	www.centcomafp.com
Identification Symbol:	Central Command Emblem
Unit Name:	Visayas Command, AFP

The Visayas Command (abbrv. as VISCOM) is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of all the visayas islands. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency. It was formerly known as the Central Command (CENTCOM) before being effectively renamed on 11 August 2021 based on the approved memorandum from the Department of National Defense.

History

On May 17, 1942, the 3rd Military Area (3MA), the original unit of the present-day Central Command, was organized and activated as a wartime military unit under the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) to provide an effective defense against the Japanese invaders. The 3MA provided command and control to all allied forces including Filipino scouts and guerillas in the Visayas and Mindanao region. Its headquarters then was at Camp Guadalupe in what is now Barangay Guadalupe. After the war, the 3MA was transferred to its present location in Camp Lapu-Lapu in what was then the Lahug District of Cebu City. The foundation of the present Barangay Apas and the subsequent evolution of neighboring barangays into highly urbanized areas took their roots from the establishment of Camp Lapu-Lapu.From being the 3MA Headquarters, the place metamorphosed into several military headquarters after the Second World War. It was the Battalion Combat Team in the 1950s and then later as CEMCOM that covered the Mindanao military operation during the Muslim rebellion in the 1970s. Later, the place became home of the 3rd Brigade Separate with former President Fidel V Ramos then as a Philippine Army general, serving as one of its commanders prior to his stint as a PC Chief.Subsequently, the area became home to the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army in 1975. Further reorganization of the AFP in the late 80s, transferred the 3ID to Jamindan, Capiz, and the subsequent creation of the Regional Unified Command (RUC). The RUC later merged with other regional commands to form the Visayas Command (VISCOM). VISCOM was organized as an operating unit of the AFP to control Internal Security Operation (ISO) in the Visayas, which then became the forefather of the present-day Central Command (CENTCOM), AFP.^[2]

On August 11, 2021, the name of the Central Command was reverted to its original name as the Visayas Command.

Lineage of Commanders

• BGen. Jesus R. Hermosa, AFP – (29 March 1988 – 14 December 1988)
• BGen. Rolando Q. Antonio, AFP – (14 December 1988 – 8 July 1989)
• BGen. Renato V. Palma, AFP – (8 July 1989 – 28 January 1990)
• MGen. Romeo R. Zulueta, AFP – (28 January 1990 – 26 December 1992)
• MGen. Thelmo Y. Cunanan, AFP – (26 December 1992 – 24 August 1993)
• MGen. Romulo F. Yap, AFP – (24 August 1993 – 12 April 1994)
• MGen. Ruperto A. Ambil, AFP – (12 April 1994 – 8 August 1995)
• MGen. Renato M. Garcia, AFP – (8 August 1995 – 26 June 1997)
• MGen. Jose C. Lapus, AFP – (26 June 1997 – 1 June 1998)
• MGen. Victor A. Mayo, AFP – (29 July 1998 – 11 April 1999)
• MGen. Victor U. Garcia, AFP – (9 June 1998 – 21 July 1998)
• MGen. Victor U. Garcia, AFP – (5 May 1999 – 27 October 1999)
• MGen. Santos B. Gabison Jr., AFP – (27 October 1999 – 23 May 2000)
• MGen. Julius L. Javier, AFP – (23 May 2000 – 12 August 2000)
• MGen. Jaime S. De Los Santos, AFP – (23 May 2000 – 23 October 2000)
• RAdm. Napoleon C. Baylon, AFP – (23 October 2000 – 3 March 2001)
• MGen. Julius L. Javier, AFP – (3 March 2001 – 17 July 2001)
• LtGen. Dionisio R. Santiago, AFP – (17 July 2001 – 13 April 2002)
• LtGen. Jacinto C. Ligot, AFP – (13 April 2002 – 17 August 2004)
• LtGen. Emmanuel R. Teodosio, AFP – (17 August 2004 – 21 January 2006)
• LtGen. Samuel B. Bagasin, AFP – (21 January 2006 – 2 August 2006)
• LtGen. Cardozo M. Luna, AFP – (2 August 2006 – 30 August 2007)
• MGen. Victor S Ibrado, AFP – (30 August 2007 – 16 May 2008)
• LtGen. Pedro Ike I. Inserto, AFP – (16 May 2008 – 21 January 2009)
• LtGen. Armando L. Cunanan, AFP – (21 January 2009 – 16 June 2009)
• LtGen. Isagani C. Cachuela, AFP – (16 June 2009 – to 2 November 2009)
• LtGen. Ralph A. Villanueva, AFP – (2 November 2009 – 17 August 2012)
• MGen. Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., PA – (17 August 2012 – 1 October 2012) (acting)
• RAdm. Jose Luis Alano, AFP – (1 October 2012 – 19 December 2012)
• MGen. Jose Z. Mabanta Jr., PA – (19 December 2012 – 12 January 2013) (acting)
• VAdm. Edgar L. Abogado, AFP – (12 January 2013 – 8 April 2013)
• LtGen. Roy O. Deveraturda, AFP – (8 April 2013 – 2 December 2013)
• LtGen. John S. Bonafos, AFP – (2 December 2013 – 15 August 2014)
• LtGen. Nicanor M. Vivar, AFP – (15 August 2014 – 12 August 2016)
• LtGen. Raul L. Del Rosario, AFP – (12 August 2016 – 5 December 2016)
• LtGen. Oscar T. Lactao, AFP – (5 December 2016 – 8 December 2017)
• LtGen. Paul T. Atal, AFP – (8 December 2017 – 22 November 2018)
• LtGen. Noel S. Clement, AFP – (22 November 2018 – 24 September 2019)
• MGen. Dinoh A. Dolina, PA – (24 September 2019 – 31 October 2019) (acting)
• LtGen. Roberto T. Ancan, AFP – (31 October 2019 – August 21, 2021)
• MGen. Pio Q. Diñoso III, PA – (21 August 2021 – 23 September 2021) (acting)^[3]
• LtGen. Robert C. Dauz, AFP – (23 September 2021 – 14 November 2022) ^[4]
• LtGen. Benedict M. Arevalo, PA '(14 November 2022 – 03 March 2024)'
• Cdre. Oscar D. Canlas Jr. (03 March 2024 - 24 April 2024) ^{[5] [6]}
• LtGen. Fernando M. Rayag '(24 April 2024 - present)' ^[1]

Organization

The following are the units that are under the Visayas Command.

• 3rd Infantry Division, PA
• 8th Infantry Division, PA
• Tactical Operations Wing Central, PAF
• Naval Forces Central, PN
• 53rd Engineer Brigade, PA
• 4th CEISG, CEISSAFP
• 3rd Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP
• Military Intelligence Groups (6,7, and 8), ISAFP

Operations

• Anti-guerrilla operations against the New People's Army
• Anti-terrorist operations against known terror groups operating in their AOR.

References

• Official Site of the AFP CentCom

Notes and References

1. Web site: Beltran . Roger . AFP Visayas Command gets new head . Visayan Daily Star . 24 April 2024.
2. http://www.centcomafp.com www.centcomafp.com
3. News: Diñoso installed as new military commander in Visayas . 23 August 2021 . Manila Bulletin.
4. News: Duterte names new chiefs for AFP Visayas, Western Mindanao . 15 September 2021 . Rappler . en.
5. News: AFP chief cites Viscom gains in security drive, territorial defense .
6. News: Guardian . Daily . Viscom chief Arevalo retires, passes baton to Canlas . Daily Guardian . 21 March 2024.