The new commander of the Western Mindanao Command formally assumed office in a change of command ceremony held at Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City.
Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo replaced Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, who assumed as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army on August 7, 2023.
Prior to his current post, Maj. Gen. Crespillo was the vice commander of the Philippine Army. Maj. Gen. Crespillo has served in a variety of assignments, most notable of which were his roles as the commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade based in Lal-lo, Cagayan and Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs of the 6th Infantry Division based in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
His assumption as the 17th commander of WestMinCom is a homecoming for Maj. Gen. Crespillo because, at some point in his military career, he has served as the Chief of Unified Command Staff of the unit.
Maj. Gen. Crespillo is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990.
In his message, Maj. Gen. Crespillo expressed his profound gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief and President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr., for the trust and confidence bestowed upon him. He also thanked Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro for his favorable endorsement.
Maj. Gen. Crespillo urged the officers, airmen, sailors, marines, and civilian human resources of WestMinCom to stay focused on contributing their individual and group efforts to accomplish the unit’s campaign objectives.
The change of command ceremony was presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr.
In attendance were Maj. Gen. Noe Alberto Peñafiel, The Internal Auditor; Maj. Gen. Rommel Roldan, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel; Maj. Gen. Noel Beleran, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training; Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations; Maj. Gen. Joel Alejandro Nacnac, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs; Maj. Gen. Rolando Nerona, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management; Brig. Gen. Bernardo Fortez, Jr., The Adjutant General; Brig. Gen. Vincent Incognito, the Deputy Commander of WestMinCom, and; the Unified Command Staff led by Col. Emmanuel Cabasan.
Also present were the joint task forces commanders, brigade commanders, commanders of the component units of WestMinCom, other high-ranking active and retired military and police officers, the local chief executives, and other guests, including Retired Gen. Alexander Yapching, Retired Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, and Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman, Area Police Command-Western Mindanao Acting Commander Police Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, and Zamboanga City Police Office Director Police Col. Alexander Lorenzo.
Following the change of command ceremony, top officers and staff of the Western Mindanao Command convened for the first command conference. The newly installed commander, Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo presided over the meeting held at the WMC Conference Room on Tuesday afternoon.
During the conference, the intelligence and operations officers of the command presented the current threat situation and campaign accomplishment and assessment of WestMinCom.
Highlight of the activity was the open forum that allowed the participants to exchange brilliant ideas and better concepts related to the campaign plan of the command.
In attendance were the commanders of all the Joint Task Forces, brigades, battalions, and component units under the command and control of WestMinCom. All the members of the unified command staff were also present during the conference.
For his guidance, Maj. Gen. Crespillo enjoined the participants to remain steadfast in fulfilling their respective mission. He also reminded them to maintain a high level of professionalism and discipline.
