President Rodrigo Duterte appointed new commanders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Visayas and Western Mindanao commands, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on Wednesday, September 15. 

In an appointment order dated September 14, Duterte named Major General Robert Dauz as the new military chief of Visayas (Viscom) that has jurisdiction over all military operations in the region. Dauz replaced Lieutenant General Roberto Ancan who retired on August 21. 

Major General Pio Diñoso III, commander of the Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division, had served as acting Viscom commander before Dauz’s appointment.

Prior to his appointment, Dauz served as the vice commander of the 100,000-strong Philippine Army. He also served as commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade and the army’s Armor “Pambato” Division. 

Major General Alfredo Rosario Jr was also appointed new Western Mindanao Command chief, replacing Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr who reached the mandatory age of 56 on August 25. Rosario will now lead the anti-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts in Western Mindanao. 

Previously, Rosario served as the commander of the Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. He also headed the 602nd Brigade, 6th Infantry Division, and the Joint Task Force Haribon under the Eastern Mindanao Command.

Both Dauz and Rosario belong to the ruling Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maringal Class of 1988.

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