The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally installed Brigadier General Marceliano Teofilo as the new commander of the Joint Task Force – National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) on Tuesday.
General Gilbert Gapay, AFP Chief of Staff, presided over the Change of Command Ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Teofilo took over from Brig. Gen. Alex Luna, who was earlier designated as the military's intelligence chief.
The Joint Task Force-NCR is assigned to combat terrorism and insurgency, and acts as a support unit to the Philippine National Police in securing peace and order within Metro Manila.
"Considering JTF-NCR’s focus on preventing CTGs and other terrorist groups from operating and bringing their influence in Metro Manila, BGen. Teofilo’s experiences in various units of the ISAFP will be utilized to further intensify intelligence and counter-intelligence operations of this command," Gapay said.
Prior to his new post, Teofilo served as the commander of the 203rd Infantry Brigade based in Oriental Mindoro, and assistant commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in Tanay, Rizal.
He also served as the commander of Joint Task Force Taal where he led the military's response efforts during Taal Volcano’s eruption in January this year.
Meanwhile, Gapay praised Luna for his "successful" stint in the JTF-NCR.
Under Luna's command, the JTF-NCR stepped up as one of the implementers of strict health protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The unit also assisted the National Capital Region Police Office in ensuring the safety of foreign and local delegates during the Southeast Asian Games 2019.
It also took an active role in crippling communist insurgency in the NCR through the newly created Joint Intelligence Task Group.
Hapay urged the personnel of the JTF-NCR to give their "all-out support" to Teofilo, like the way they did to Luna.