FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – The newly-designated Vice Commander of the Philippine Army will officially assume post after a simple ceremony at the Philippine Army Headquarters, Monday 1:30 p.m., a military official said.

Major Harold M Cabunoc, the Army Spokesperson, said that the Philippine Army welcomes the appointment of Brigadier General Essel D Soriano as the Army’s number 2 man.

“Brig. Gen. Soriano replaced Maj. Gen. Renato David who bowed out from the military service after reaching the mandatory retiring age of 56,” said Cabunoc.

Soriano, 54, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1979. As a young lieutenant, he was assigned with the Army’s 2nd Light Armor Company, Light Armor Battalion operating in Luzon. After which, he commanded the 4th and the 1st Light Armor Company, Light Armor Brigade.

Years thereafter, he assumed as the Secretary General Staff of the Army Reserve Command.

In 2000, he headed the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Light Armor Brigade, Philippine Army. It was also in the year 2001 and 2002 that he commanded Task Force Sagittarius and Task Force Cotabato in Mindanao.

Soriano was sent on foreign assignment as AFP Representative in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom in the year 2003 to 2005.

He likewise headed the Army’s 503rd Brigade, 5th Infantry Division. Before his designation as Army Vice Commander, Soriano was the Assistant Division Commander of the Light Armor Division, Philippine Army. As a result of his various accomplishments in combat, he received six Bronze Cross Medals and various Military Merit Medals. He was likewise awarded the Distinguished Service Star for his meritorious and valuable service rendered in a position of major responsibility.