Dela Vega is new 6th ID commander

CHANGE OF COMMAND --- Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. (left), outgoing commander, welcomes Brig. Gen. Arnel Bernardino dela Vega as the new commanding general of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division. (GILMHAR A. LAO – MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

CAMP SIONGCO, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao --- Brig. Gen Arnel Bernardino dela Vega is now the new commanding general of the The 6^th Infantry (Kampilan) Division based at Awang of this town.

Dela Vega replaces Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. who was designated by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to head the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).

In a simple turn-over of command ceremony last January 19 before the officers, Army personnel, local chief executives and local leaders, and guests held at the grandstand of the Kampilan Division, Dela Vega called on the active participation of the public in order to maintain peace and order stability within the area of responsibility.

“We cannot do this alone. We need the participation of everyone, most especially our local government units and the populace themselves. Let us work hand in hand in resolving the conflicts here in Mindanao,” he said.

Dela Vega is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, the country’s premier military institution. He was commissioned with the Philippine Army on March 22, 1985.

Throughout his entire military service, Dela Vega pursued various education and training programs that equipped him with the knowledge and skills that are essential in the performance of his duties.

Among his career courses is a Master’s Degree in Management Studies on Human Resource Management at the University of New South Wales  through the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra Australia in June 2005. He also completed the Command and General Staff Course as well as the Advance and Basic Infantry Courses at the Training and Doctrines Command of the Philippine Army much earlier during his career.

Dela Vega further endeavoured and underwent different specialization courses that made him more prepared to assume field duty assignments. He attended and qualified in the Special Forces Operations Course conducted by the Special Forces School, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), and Philippine Army in September 1988; and the Special Forces Qualification Course at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA in 1993. He is also a qualified skydiver, jumpmaster, and scuba diver.

Dela Vega climbed up the ladder of his military career holding different command and staff positions. From December 1999 to February 2002, he commanded the 1st Special Forces Battalion deployed in Southern Philippines. He was a  commander of both an infantry company in Southern Tagalog Region and a Special Forces Company based in the National Capital Region in 1988 and 1994, respectively.

Among the most significant staff positions he assumed include his designation as Chief of Staff of the Special Forces Regiment from 2008 to 2010, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, G8 of the Philippine Army until 2013, and as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense from November 2013 to May 2014.

Immediately thereafter, Dela Vega commanded the 603rd Brigade, 6th Infantry Division based in Central Mindanao before he assumed as the Assistant Division Commander of the same Division in December of 2015 and as chairman of the GPH- AHJAG of the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

He then took command of the Joint Task Force Sulu in April 2016 while at the same time posted as deputy commander of WesMinCom before he assumed his post as commandant of the AFPCGSC effective December 21, 2016.

Dela Vega also had the opportunity to serve on foreign deployments in at least two United Nations mission. From 2002 to 2003, he served as a member of the Philippine United Nations Guards Contingent in Iraq. In 2008, he was the contingent commander of the 11th Philippine Contingent serving for the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

He earned numerous awards: the Distinguished Service Star, Gold Cross Medals, Bronze Cross Medals, and numerous Military Merit and Commendation Medals.

He is married to Divina “Debbie” Dela Vega and they are blessed with four sibs: John Kevin, Keith Dianne, Kim Ellaine, Karel Denise, and Karen Eunice.

Assuming his new post as the new WesMinCom commander, Galvez, who stayed with the 6^th ID for barely months, said he will involve local leaders and other non-government groups in the fight against terrorism. “We are going to intensify our operations against the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute group.”

Lt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda, commanding general of the Philippine Army was the guest of honour and speaker in the turn-over rites.

Miranda commended the efforts of the Philippine Army in tearing down illegal activities and terrorism in this part of the county.

The 6th ID was established on October 24, 1987 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines with Brig. General Gonzalo H. Siongco as the first commanding general assigned in its headquarters in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Popularly known as the Kampilan Division, the 6th ID is one of the Philippine Army's infantry units in Central Mindanao. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)