BY VICTOR REYES

PRESIDENT Arroyo has approved the promotion of 30 senior military officers, including the commanders of three unified commands.

The three now qualify as a successor of Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who retires next month.

The promotions took effect January 1, said Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, chief of the AFP public information office.

Promoted to lieutenant generals from major generals were Rodrigo Maclang, chief of the Northern Luzon Command; Victor Ibrado, chief of the Central Command; and, Nelson Allaga, chief of the Western Mindanao Command.

The three are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class ‘76 and classmates of Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who is said to be the frontrunner in the race for the next AFP chief.

All three-star generals are qualified for the post of AFP chief.

Military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said if Yano is named as Esperon’s successor, it will be a tight race between Ibrado and Maclang for Army chief.

Allaga was Marines commandant before he was named to his current post.

There are reports that Esperon’s tour of duty might be extended by the President beyond February 9 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Esperon, who assumed the chief AFP post in July last year, has said it would be an honor if the President extends his tour of duty.

Promoted major generals from brigadier generals were Arsenio Arugay, chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP; Daniel Casabar, chief of the Special Operations Command; Samuel Narcise, Army inspector general; Alexander Flores, chief of the Air Logistics Command; Nicomedez Corpuz, chief of the 2nd Air Division, and Reu Lucio Samaco, AFP deputy chief of staff for reservist and reserve affairs.

Promoted to rear admiral (major general in the Army) from commodore (brigadier general) were Ferdinand Golez, chief of the Naval Education Training Command, and Ruperto Rico Borromeo, chief of the Western Command.

Promoted to brigadier general from colonel were:

Arthur Abadilla, AFP provost marshal general; Cesar Santos, deputy chief of the Army Support Command; Danilo Garcia, chief of the 601st Brigade; Mohammad Nur Askalani, 901st Brigade; Romnel Gomez, 703rd Brigade; Raynard Ronnie Javier, 103rd Brigade; Jovencio Magalso, 102nd Brigade; Mario Chan, 204th Brigade; Anthony Alcantara, 702nd Brigade; Jorge Segovia, 202nd Brigade; Dante Fernandez, 402nd Brigade; Mario Butch Lacson, 560th Air Base Wing; Cesar Atienza, 2nd Marine Brigade; Gregorio Paduganan, chief of the Air Force Bids and Awards Committee, and Teddy Hermano, member of the AFP Bids and Awards Committee.

Promoted to the rank of commodore from captain were Robert Nobleranca, chief of the Naval Construction Brigade; Jose Luis Alano, chief of the Navy’s Service Force; Victor Emmanuel Martir, assistant PMA superintendent; and Adriano Muna, chief of the Navy’s Bids and Awards Committee.