Western Mindanao Command Explained

Unit Name:	Western Mindanao Command
Dates:	August 28, 2006 - Present
Country:	Philippines
Role:	Conventional and Unconventional Warfare, Anti-Guerrilla Operations
Command Structure:	Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Garrison:	Camp General Navarro, Zamboanga City
Nickname:	WestMinCom
Motto:	Kapayaan Peace
Anniversaries:	August 28
Battles:	Anti-guerilla operations against the NPA, MILF, ASG, and local criminal elements
Current Commander:	LtGen. William Gonzales, AFP^[1]
Notable Commanders:	LtGen. Eugenio Cedo, AFP LtGen. Nelson Allaga, AFP LtGen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., AFP LtGen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, AFP
Identification Symbol Label:	Unit Patch
Identification Symbol:	Western Mindanao Command Emblem

The Western Mindanao Command (abbrv. as WESTMINCOM) is the Armed Forces of the Philippines' unified command in charge of the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the BARMM. It is responsible for the defense of these areas against external aggression, as well as combating terrorism and insurgency. It is also one of the government organizations advocating the "Culture of Peace" in Mindanao.

Organization

The following are the units that are under the Western Mindanao Command.

• 3rd Air Division, PAF
• Naval Forces Western Mindanao, PN

Operations

• Anti-guerrilla operations against the New People's Army.
• Anti-terrorist operations against the Abu Sayyaf operating in their AOR.
• Anti-terrorist operations against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the Battle of Marawi.

Lineage of Commander

• LtGen. Eugenio V. Cedo, AFP – (28 August 2006 – 05 September 2007)
• LtGen. Nelson N. Allaga, AFP – (05 September 2007 – 16 July 2009)
• LtGen. Benjamin M. Dolorfino, AFP – (16 July 2009 – 10 November 2010)
• LtGen. Raymundo B. Ferrer, AFP – (10 November 2010 – 22 January 2012)
• LtGen. Noel A. Coballes, AFP – (22 January 2012 - 22 October 2012)
• LtGen. Rey C. Ardo, AFP – (22 October 2012 – 08 November 2013)
• LtGen. Rustico O. Guerrero, AFP – (08 November 2013 – 24 November 2015)
• LtGen. Mayoralgo M. Dela Cruz, AFP – (24 November 2015 – 17 January 2017)
• LtGen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., AFP – (17 January 2017 – 18 May 2018)
• LtGen. Arnel B. Dela Vega, AFP – (18 May 2018 – 28 June 2019)
• LtGen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, AFP – (28 June 2019 – 18 August 2020)
• LtGen. Corleto S. Vinluan Jr., AFP – (18 August 2020 – 24 August 2021)
• MGen. Generoso M. Ponio, PA – (24 August 2021 – 23 September 2021) (acting)
• LtGen. Alfredo V. Rosario Jr., AFP – (23 September 2021 – 04 October 2022) ^[2]
• BGen. Arturo G. Rojas, PN(M) – (04 October 2022 – 20 January 2023) (acting)
• LtGen. Roy M. Galido, AFP – (20 January 2023 - 26 August 2023)
• MGen.Steve D Crespillo, PA - (26 August 2023 - 3 November 2023)
• Lt.Gen. William Gonzales - (3 November - Present)^[3]

References

• AFP GO# 1035 Section II
• Philippine Army: The First 100 Years
• Military Science 21 ROTC Manual, NCR RCDG, ARESCOM

External links

• Official Site of the AFP

6.9179°N 122.0412°W

Notes and References

1. News: Cabrera . Ferdinandh B. . New WestMinCom commander vows support to Marcos peace agenda . OPAPRU . 4 November 2023.
2. Web site: Duterte names new chiefs for AFP Visayas, Western Mindanao. 15 September 2021 .
3. Web site: New WestMinCom commander vows support to Marcos peace agenda – PeaceGovPH.