ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 10 Jan) A decorated army commander, who is veteran in the Mindanao anti-insurgency campaign, is named as the next commander of the Southern Command, replacing Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, officials said.
Officials said Habacon was nominated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to replace Adan, who retires Wednesday after serving as regional military chief for about 3 months.
"General Gabriel Habacon is the next commander of Southcom, and soldiers in the southern Philippines are supporting the new commander," said Maj. Gamal Hayudini, a spokesman for the Southern Command, the largest military installation outside Manila.
Habacon, the commander of the First Infantry Division, is a member of the Class 73 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
He was the former commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Comet based in Jolo island and instrumental in the arrest of many key leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Rajah Soliman groups, and members of the Jemaah Islamiya.
He was largely credited for the capture of dozens of top New People's Army (NPA) leaders in western Mindanao.
Habacon is known for his being quiet and low profile despite his many accomplishments as regional army chief who commanded soldiers in the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
Officials said Habacon was nominated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to replace Adan, who retires Wednesday after serving as regional military chief for about 3 months.
"General Gabriel Habacon is the next commander of Southcom, and soldiers in the southern Philippines are supporting the new commander," said Maj. Gamal Hayudini, a spokesman for the Southern Command, the largest military installation outside Manila.
Habacon, the commander of the First Infantry Division, is a member of the Class 73 of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
He was the former commander of the anti-terror Joint Task Force Comet based in Jolo island and instrumental in the arrest of many key leaders of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Rajah Soliman groups, and members of the Jemaah Islamiya.
He was largely credited for the capture of dozens of top New People's Army (NPA) leaders in western Mindanao.
Habacon is known for his being quiet and low profile despite his many accomplishments as regional army chief who commanded soldiers in the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
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