PNoy appoints Zamboanga siege overall ground commander as new NOLCOM chief

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City-President Benigno Aquino III has appointed the chief of Army’s 1^st Infantry Division, who was the overall ground commander during the 2013 defense of Zamboanga City against rogue elements, as the new head of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM).

 

Major General Felicito Virgilio Trinidad Jr. replaces Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. who was promoted as Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

 

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, he also served as commander of the 14^th Infantry Battalion of the 8^th Infantry Division initially based in Eastern Samar but was redeployed to Sulu from 2002 to 2003 at the height of AFP’s campaign against Abu Sayyaf and breakaway groups of Moro National Liberation Front.

 

He also became the Director of the Directorate for AFP Modernization and Director of the Army Modernization Program Management Office.

 

In recognition of his efforts during the Zamboanga siege, he was conferred with the Philippine Legion of Honor with a degree of Commander during the 78^th anniversary celebration of AFP.

 

Units now under his command in NOLCOM include the Army 5^th and 7^th Infantry Divisions, Naval Forces Northern Luzon, and Air Force Tactical Operations Groups 1,2, and 3. (Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu)