ISABELA CITY, Basilan – In a time-honored change of office ceremony, Western Mindanao Command
(WESMINCOM) welcomed the new Deputy Commander last April 27 inside Camp Navarro
in Zamboanga City.
Brigadier General (BGen.)Orlando E
De Leon replaced BGen. Eugenio Clemen who just retired from the military service.
The ceremony was officiated by no
less than Lieutenant General Rey C Ardo, Commander of Western Mindanao Command
and attended by commanders from the different units, civilian employees and
personnel.
Prior to his designation as deputy commander
of WESMINCOM, BGen De Leon was the commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade in the
Province of Sulu who was instrumental in the transformation of the Marines.
“Ang Marines ngayon as hindi na
kinatatakutan bagkus nirerespeto. Ito ay dahil sa malaking contribusyon nila in
‘winning the peace’ in the said province which is the battle cry of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Internal Peace and Security ‘Bayanihan’ (The
marines today are not feared anymore but are respected because of their
contribution in winning the peace in Sulu, which is the battle cry of the AFP’s
IPSP),” De Leon said.
De Leon was born on September 7, 1959
in Tabaco City, Albay. He is happily married to Dahlia M. De Leon and blessed
with four children namely: Therese Josephine, Orlando Jr., Strawberry Marie and
Lucky Angel.
He finished both his elementary and
secondary education at Aquinas University of Legazpi, Legazpi City where he
graduated with First Honorable Mention.
He was accepted into the Philippine
Military Academy in 1977 and graduated in 1982.
His ascent in military service gave
him the opportunity to undergo career and specialization courses for
advancement both local and abroad. Among his career courses are Basic Airborne
Course, Naval Intelligence Officers Course, Basic and Advance Career Courses
and the Command and General Staff Course (GGSC).
His outstanding achievement in the
military service is highlighted by the numerous awards and recognitions he
received both from military and civilian sectors. Among others, he is a
recipient of Most Outstanding and AFP Officer of the Year award in 2000
(PAOCTF), Distinguished Service Star, Bronze Cross Medals, Silver Wing Medal
and several Military Merit Medals both for combat and administration and
Military commendations from Military and other institutions.
A battle-tested soldier, BGen de Leon has served in Mindanao
for most of his career. Among the positions he had held include: Platoon
Commander and Commanding Officer of the 31st Marine Company and 5th Marine
Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) between 1984-1988 Intelligence
Officer of the MBLT 3, Intelligence Officer of 3rd Marine Brigade in 1995-1996,
Deputy for Intelligence of the then Southcom between 1999-2001, Executive
Officer at MBLT 5 in 1997-1999, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Marine Corps,
Deputy Commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade all between 2004-2006. (WESMINCOM)