Aquino appoints new Air Force commander
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino 3rd has named Maj. Gen. Lauro dela Cruz as the 32nd commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), replacing Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, who has reached the mandated three-year term as Air Force chief.
Dela Cruz assumed his new post on Tuesday during simple turnover ceremonies presided by President Aquino at the PAF’S headquarters in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City ( Metro Manila).
Dela Cruz, a member of the Philippine Military Academy ( PMA) “Mapitagan” Class of 1980, bested three other senior generals to take the post—maj. Gen. Jose Villarete, the head of the 3rd Air Division based in Zamboanga City; Maj. Gen. Ricardo Banayat, the commander of the 1st Air Division based in Clark Field, Pampanga province; and Maj. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal, the commander of the Air Education and Training Command.
Villarete and Banayat are mem- bers of the PMA Class of 1979 and Macapagal, PMA Class of 1980.
PMA Class 1980 counts among its adopted members the President’s siblings Kris Aquino, Ballsy AquinoCruz, Viel Aguino-dee and Pinky Aquino-abellada.
The Aquino sisters were made honorary members last year in honor of their late mother, former Presiden Corazon Aquino.
Some of the prominent members of PMA Class of 1980 are Philippine National Police ( PNP) Director General Nicanor Bartolome and Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele, Central Mindanao regional police chief.
In his speech during the turnover ceremonies, Mr. Aquino was all praises for the dedication and quality of leadership shown by Rabena during his almost 30 years in military service.
Under Rabena, he said, the Air Force flew to new heights in campaigning against enemies of the state, in protecting the country’s territorial jurisdiction, in enhancing integrity and professionalism in its ranks, in improving the facilities of military bases in the country and in realizing decent housing for members of the Air Force, among others.
“Salamat sa reporma at tuwid na pamamalakad sa Air Force [Thanks to the reforms and the straight path that the Air Force has taken],” the President said.
Rabena, a member of PMA “Makatarungan” Class of 1978, will turn 56, the mandatory age for retirement, in August.
He, however, was mandated to step down on January 10 in compli- ance with the military attrition law, which sets a three-year maximum tenure for senior generals.
Under the attrition law, two-star [ major general] and three- star [ lieutenant general] generals should retire if not promoted to the next higher rank in three years before retirement.
Rabena assumed as Air Force chief on January 11, 2009.
In his case and being a threestar general, he could no longer be promoted to the next higher rank of four- star general because it is reserved for the AFP chief of staff, now occupied by Gen. Jessie Delosa.
In the new PAF chief, Mr. Aquino said, he has full trust and confidence.
Dela Cruz, he added, is expected also to serve the country with honesty and loyalty.
The new Air Force commander, a seasoned pilot, was born in Pasay City.
Prior to his new appointment, he had served as chief of Air Staff, Wing Commander of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, Deputy Wing Commander of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing and Deputy Wing Commander of the 710th Special Operations Wing.
Dela Cruz was also a former flight instructor, training officer, management and operations officer and pilot instructor at the Philippine Air Force Flying School.
He holds a diploma in Arts from the Massey University in New Zealand and a master’s degree in Management (major in Public Administration) from the Philippine Christian University.
Dela Cruz is scheduled to retire from the service in April 2014.