Alfonso Arellano

Alfonso Arellano
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
December 29, 1956 – July 1, 1957
Appointed byPresident Ramon Magsaysay
PresidentCarlos P. Garcia
Ramon Magsaysay
DeputyManuel Cabal
Preceded byJesus Vargas
Succeeded byManuel Cabal
Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
July 1, 1956 – December 1957
PresidentRamon Magsaysay
Preceded byEulogio Balao
Succeeded byManuel Cabal
Commanding General, Philippine Army
In office
December 29, 1954 – July 1, 1956
PresidentRamon Magsaysay
Preceded byJesus Vargas
Succeeded byLeoncio S. Tan
Personal details
Born
Alfonso Viterbo Arellano

March 12, 1905
Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Philippine Islands
DiedJune 1, 1957(1957-06-01) (aged 52)
SpouseJosephine Arzabal[1]
ParentSilvino Viterbo Arellano Saturnina Viloria Viterbo
Alma materPhilippine Constabulary Academy (1929)
OccupationSoldier
ProfessionSoldier
AwardsLegion of Merit[1]
Military service
Allegiance Philippines
 United States of America
Branch/servicePhilippine Army
Philippine Constabulary
Years of service1929 - 1957
RankGeneral Lieutenant General
Battles/warsWorld War II
Hukbalahap Campaign

Alfonso Viterbo Arellano (March 12, 1905 – June 1, 1957) was a Filipino army officer who served as AFP Chief of Staff[2] from 1956 to 1958. He was a World War II veteran and decorated soldier. He was appointed by President Ramon Magsaysay[3] a fellow WW II hero.[4]

Early years and education

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Arellano was born on March 12, 1905,[1] in Talavera, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines to father Silvino Viterbo Arellano and mother Saturnina Viloria Viterbo. He took an entrance exam to Philippine Constabulary Academy and passed it, got admitted the same 1927 and graduated in 1929.

World war II and post war

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Arellano, then Captain, commanded 41st Field Artillery Battalion[5] under 41st Infantry Division of General Vicente Lim during battle of Bataan. He was a POW after Bataan force was surrendered by General King in April 1942 and was in the Bataan Death March.[1] He was released within the year and subsequently joined guerilla unit to harass Japanese force until General MacArthur returns.

After the war he resume his military career with Philippine Army and became its commanding general in 1954 and subsequently appointed as Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff in 1956 Chief of Staff 1957. He worked tirelessly in reorganizing, recruitment, and making the Armed Forces of the Philippines professional soldiers but it took toll in his health, and he died in July 1957 while still in office. The road in gate 6 of Fort Bonifacio was named after him for his honor.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d The Philippine Officials Review. M & M Publications. 1967. p. 262. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Veterans assembly in Manila Dec. 7-11". Manila Standard. 6 December 1988. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines". Official Gazette of the Philippines. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Alfonso Arellano - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  5. ^ Young, Donald J. (21 October 2009). The Battle of Bataan: A Complete History, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-7864-5372-6. Retrieved 28 November 2023.

See also

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Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
1956 to 1957
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General Philippine Army
1956 to 1957
Succeeded by