Brig. Gen. Abraham Claro Casis assumed his post as the new commander of the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) during a ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo Tuesday.

The ceremony was led by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez.

Maj. Ernesto Teneza Jr., Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Office, said Casis, the commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade , 7th Infantry Division replaced JTF-NCR Commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado as he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

“Among Arrojado’s major accomplishments during his post as commander, JTF-NCR, were the successful and peaceful conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2018 wherein the command supported the Philippine National Police (PNP) counterparts in the NCR during the May 14 polls,” he said.

Arrojado also led the fight against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) as he was Joint Task Force Sulu Commander.

Teneza said Casis, a native of Nueva Ecija, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.

“He (Casis) is a seasoned combat officer who is experienced in different military operations being a scout ranger and a special forces operator. He also held significant staff positions both in the Army and in the General Headquarters, Armed Forces of the Philippines. Further, he has good reputation in all his previous units,” he said.

“Casis is a graduate of Master in Business Administration at Araullo University, Master of Arts in Education at Bohol Institute of Technology, and International Relations Course at Foreign Service Institute, Department of Foreign Affairs,” he noted.

“He (Casis) is a recipient of various military and civilian awards. He is also a recipient of Noble Peace Prize from the United Nations and Honor Graduate Award from the Command and General Staff College,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS