Ex-MNLF hostage is new military chief in West Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - A military general who was once held hostage by Moro rebels in southern Philippines has been appointed as the new commander of the Armed Forces’ Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom). Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Ben Dolorfino’s appointment was announced by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Wednesday. Dolorfino will take the place of Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 16. As Wesmincom chief, Dolorfino will be in charge of operations against various threat groups in Western Mindanao, principally the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group and rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Dolorfino was held hostage for two days by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels in February 2007 after he went to their camp in Panamo, Sulu to dialogue on the problems in the full implementation of the 1996 peace agreement between the government and the group. Dolorfino, a Muslim convert, is married to a relative of Nur Misuari, former governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and founder of the MNLF. Dolorfino is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1976. His classmates include AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado, AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, AFP deputy chief Vice Admiral Emilio Marayag and Navy chief Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez. With his appointment, Dolorfino’s promotion to lieutenant general is almost certain. If he gets his third star, Dolorfino – who got promoted major general in December 2006 - will avoid a possible attrition from the service on December. Under the law, a major general will have to be promoted to the next higher rank in three years, otherwise he will be forced to retire from the service. - GMANews.TV