Colonel Arthur Ang speaks during the opening ceremony of a joint Philippines and United States humanitarian mission in Legazpi City in Albay province in this photo by the US Air Force.
PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 1, 2012) – The Philippine Army has sacked its commander in Basilan following an attack by Abu Sayyaf rebels that killed over a dozen soldiers and civilians in the restive southern province.
Colonel Arthur Ang, commander of the 104nd Infantry Brigade, has been relieved and replaced by Colonel Charlie Galvez. It was the second time that Ang was sacked from his post.
In May, Ang, then commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Albay province, was also removed from his post for failing to prevent a communist rebel attack at an airport construction site in Albay.
New People’s Army rebels raided an army detachment and wounded two soldiers guarding the airport in Daraga town on May 18. Rebel forces torched construction equipment before fleeing after the daring raid.
Colonel Ricardo Visaya, then the Basilan army commander, replaced Ang as the new 901stInfantry Brigade chief.
Army Major General Noel Coballes, chief of the Western Mindanao Command, said Ang’s relief is part of a routine in the military and has nothing to do with the Abu Sayyaf attacks. (Mindanao Examiner)
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