CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — In a surprise leadership reshuffle, the Philippine Army replaced the newly installed commander of the 7,000-strong 4th Infantry Division just 11 days after he assumed the post.
Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete flew to Cagayan de Oro on Saturday to formally install Major General Marlon Angcao as the new 4ID commander, replacing Brigadier General Siegfred Tubalado.
Tubalado had only been installed on April 29 as acting commander following the retirement of Major General Michele Anayron.
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Nafarrete explained that Angcao’s appointment papers were delayed in Malacañang, prompting the Army leadership to temporarily designate Tubalado as acting commander to avoid a leadership vacuum in one of the military’s key regional divisions.
“We were left with no choice, and it was a good thing General Tubalado agreed to serve as acting 4ID commander, even for a short time,” Nafarrete told officers during the change-of-command ceremony at the Division Officers’ Club.
Military officials said the temporary arrangement ensured continuity of operations within the division, which oversees Army units across Northern Mindanao and parts of the Caraga region.
Before his appointment, Angcao served as the Philippine Army’s assistant chief of staff for operations at Army headquarters.
He also previously commanded the 1003rd Infantry Brigade based at Camp General Mariano Marcos in Barangay Malagos, Davao City.
Angcao belongs to the Philippine Military Academy “Maalab” Class of 1993, while Tubalado and Anayron are both members of PMA “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992.
