Army designates new Command Sergeant Major

Chief Master Sergeant Guillermo P Francisco, outgoing Army Sergeant Major (ASM) hands over  the Office Symbol to Army Chief of Staff Maj Gen Maximo G Caro as incoming ASM Chief Master Sergeant Wilfredo L Javillonar looks on. (Photo by Pfc Cesar Lopez) 

FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City –The Philippine Army has designated its new Sergeant Major in a Change of Chief of Office Ceremony here on Wednesday, December 5. 

Army Chief of Staff Maj Gen Maximo G Caro presided the ceremony which was attended by senior officers of the Army Headquarters.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said that Chief Master Sergeant Wilfredo L Javillonar, enlisted personnel for 31 years, replaced Chief Master Sergeant Guillermo P Francisco who was elevated to Armed Forces of the Philippines Sergeant Major in October.

An Ilocano who started out as Rifleman, Javillonar is a seasoned warrior and leader. Prior to being Army Sergeant Major (ASM), he has served as Sergeant Major of 6 Regional Community Defense Group, Task Group Southwest-Negros, 3ID and later on of the 3rd Infantry Division. He also has long years of experience as Chief Clerk in various units of the Army.

Javillonar is also one of the most decorated personnel among his rank having received various Military Merit Medals, Military Commendation Medals, Long Service Medals, Military Civic Actions Medals and AFP Conduct Medal among others.

Francisco, on the other hand, was enlisted in 1981 and was assigned to 2nd Special Operations Company, SOG, ASWBde as its Communication Chief, Operations NCO and as a Team and a Section Leader in the provinces of Samar.

After which, he has rendered long years of service in different sub-units of the First Scout Ranger Regiment since its reactivation in 1983. He has also become an instructor of various infantry and intelligence courses and later became the Sergeant Major of the Scout Ranger Training School.

In December 2007 Francisco was designated as the Regiment Sergeant Major until his reassignment to Southern Command (SOCOM) as its Command Sergeant Major in 2009. A year later, he was designated as the Philippine Army Sergeant Major.

As Army Sergeant Major, one is responsible for maintaining the high standard of morale and discipline and is expected to give counsel and provide guidance to all enlisted personnel.