ASSUMING NEW POSTS. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (center) officiates the assumption of Lt. Gen. William Gonzales (left) as the new head of Western Mindanao Command and Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo (right) as the new AFP Inspector General during the joint change of command and chief of office ceremony at Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City on Friday (Nov. 3, 2023). The AFP said the joint change of command and chief of office rites are a symbol of continuity within the military organization. (Photo courtesy of the AFP)
MANILA – Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Inspector General, formally took over the helm of the Zamboanga City-based Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) on Friday.
Gonzales, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1989, replaced Maj. Gen. Steve Crespillo who was promoted as AFP Inspector General, in a joint change of command and chief of office ceremony presided over by AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. at the Wesmincom Gymnasium, Camp Navarro, Upper Calarian, Zamboanga City.
"Prior to his (Gonzales') previous position, he headed the Joint Task Force Sulu and 11th Infantry Division in a concurrent capacity," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.
Crespillo, a member of PMA Class of 1990, previously served as Philippine Army vice commander and chief of the Office of the Army Ethical Standards and Public Accountability.
Trinidad said the joint ceremonies are "seen as a symbol of continuity within the military organization".
He added that it also represents the AFP’s commitment to maintain a high level of leadership as it continues to perform the mandate of protecting the people and securing the state. (PNA)
