Gregorio Pio Punzalan Catapang Jr., CCLH (born 11 July 1959) is a Career Executive Service Eligible Officer, Corrections Officer, and retired Filipino general who served as the 45th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.[1] He was the Vice Chief of Staff prior to his appointment as head of the armed forces. He was also the former head of the AFP Northern Luzon Command and 7th Infantry Division. He is part of the Philippine Military Academy Dimalupig Class of 1981. He was part of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement.[2][3][4] On October 21, 2022, upon the suspension and dismissal of BUCOR Director General Usec. Gerald Bantag, Catapang was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos as the Officer in Charge, and eventually as the Full-Time Undersecretary/Director General[5] of the Bureau of Corrections.
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Early life and education
editGregorio "Greg" Pio P. Catapang Jr. was born on July 11, 1959, in Manila. He is the second of four children of Gregorio Catapang Sr., a lawyer for the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Lourdes Punzalan, a CPA for the Department of Finance. He was named after two generals Gregorio del Pilar and Pio del Pilar. Early on in life his parents taught him the value of public service.
He attended Claret School of Quezon City highschool where he was voted as the high school class president. He entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1977 and graduated in 1981. Shortly after graduating from PMA he pursued graduate courses in the University of the Philippines and became a member of Upsilon Sigma Phi.
Military career
editHe moved on with his career carrying an excellent standard of performance, fine leadership, and a keen vision that resulted in accomplishments, both in garrison and field tours of duty. He held positions of major responsibility, such as: Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, Commander, 703 Infantry Brigade, of the 7ID, PA (now 10ID, PA) from September 6, 2010, to October 3, 2012; Battalion Commander of 28IB, 4ID, PA (now 10ID, PA) from November 20, 1999, to March 3, 2001; Battalion Commander of HHSBn, 4ID, PA from March 3 to December 17, 2001; Ac of S for Operations, G3, 8ID, PA from July 16, 2002, to February 1, 2003; ACUCS for CMO, U7, NOLCOM, AFP from February 19 to May 12, 2003; ACUCS for Operations, U3, NOLCOM, AFP from May 12, 2003, to October 24, 2005; and Chief of Unified Command Staff, NOLCOM, AFP from May 15 to October 24, 2005.
His professional military training include: Intel Officers Basic Course at the SITS, ISAFP in 1982; Infantry Officers Advance Course at Combat Arms School, TCPA in 1992; Command and General Staff Course at the Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Bonifacio in 2002; Australian and Military Familiarization Course and ADC Preparation Course at the Defence International Training Center in Australia, in 2005; Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian Defence College in 2006; Symposium on National Security and Strategy at NDU, PLA, China in 2007; and Change Management Workshop and Strategic Communications at the Australian Defense Coop Program in 2008.
Communist insurgency
editCatapang was instrumental in the normalization of Northern and Central Luzon. As an Army captain he helped transform Porac from a hotbed of communist insurgency to peaceful municipality. As a General by the time he left as NOLCOM Command he was able to declare Central Luzon as peaceful and ready for further development[6]
Climate change
editCatapang was recognized for significantly contributing to the relief operations in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ondoy in 2009. At the time, he was assigned to the Office of Civil Defense.[7]
Chief of Staff
editIn his talk to men, Catapang urged the troops to strictly adhere to the AFP's slogan of “Kawal DISIPLINADO, bawal ABUSADO, dapat ASINTADO”. These three key words are acronyms that spell out the dos and don'ts to be followed by every AFP personnel for them “to become proficient in fire and maneuver and be able to avoid collateral damage; be respectful of human rights, adhere to international humanitarian law and rule of law, as well as the rules of engagement of the IPSP Bayanihan.” [8]
Catapang vowed to continue modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from being the hub of "flying coffin helicopters"[9] and an "Itali Yan" navy,[10] to the home of a strong and well-equipped Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.
Catapang promised to enhance the anti-insurgency campaign, dubbed the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), especially against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP–NPA–NDF).[11]
In 2014, Catapang advised 40 Filipino soldiers serving as peacekeepers for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force who were surrounded by Syrian Islamist rebels in the Golan Heights to defy an order from the commander of the UN forces to lay down their arms and surrender. The Filipino soldiers instead engaged the rebels and managed to escape.[12]
He is the Chief of Staff during the failed rescue of 44 Special Action Force Commandos who died in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
Bureau of Corrections
editOn March 19, 2024, unidentified assailants on Toyota Vios at Metro Manila Skyway suddenly overtook and opened fire at Catapang Jr.'s bulletproof back-up vehicle silver Toyota Hilux with plate no. WDQ 811 driven by CO1 Cornelio Colalong and accompanied by CO1 Leonardo Cabaniero, and escorted by an Innova driven by CSO2 Edwin Berroya and CO2 Michael Magsanoc. “Catapang said that both he and Perreras have been receiving death threats since they implemented various reforms in the agency and this incident will not deter them from continuing what they started,” BuCor said.[13]
Military service awards
edit
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
Martial Law Unit Citation
People Power I Unit Citation
People Power II Unit Citation
Philippine Legion of Honor- Degree of Chief Commander and Officer
Distinguished Service Star
Distinguished Conduct Star
Gold Cross (Philippines)
Outstanding Achievement Medal
Gawad sa Kaunlaran
Distinguished Aviation Cross
Bronze Cross Medals
Military Merit
Military Commendation Medal
Military Civic Action Medal
Silver Wing Medal
Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas- Gawad sa Kaunlaran
- Gawad sa Kapayapaan
Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama
Long Service Medal
Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal
Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
Luzon Anti Dissidence Campaign Medal
Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal
Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon
Combat Commander's Badge (Philippines)
Scout Ranger Badge
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Personal life
editCatapang's nationalism further shows in his children's names:
- Rally ("rally")- born in 1984
- Rev ("revolution") - born in 1986; see People Power Revolution
- Coup'dy ("coup d'état") - born in 1987; see Coup attempts against Cory Aquino
- Ysa (pagkakaisa, Tagalog for "unity") - born in 1993.
- Best General ("20th century"")
References
edit- ^ Sinapit, Jaime (July 18, 2014). "New AFP chief Catapang vows to pursue transformation road map". Interaksyon. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ "Catapang appointed as next AFP chief". Interaksyon. Philippines News Agency. July 16, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ Mangosing, Frances (May 21, 2014). "Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang is new AFP Vice Chief of Staff". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ Fonbuena, Carmela (July 18, 2014). "A general's long wait: Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr". Rappler. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
- ^ Fernandez, Daniza (23 May 2023). "Gregorio Catapang permanently appointed as BuCor director general". Inquirer.net.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-08-10. Retrieved 2014-07-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Dizon, Nikko (17 July 2014). "Climate change buff is new AFP chief of staff". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Newly-installed AFP Chief visits Army headquarters". 28 July 2014.
- ^ Calleja, Niña P. (25 July 2014). "AFP chief Catapang tells of cheating death on 'flying coffin'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ Fonbuena, Carmela (28 July 2014). "State of PH Navy modernization: 'Golden days will return'". Rappler. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ^ "New AFP chief Catapang vows to pursue transformation road map". Archived from the original on 2014-07-20. Retrieved 2014-07-19.
- ^ Filipino force defied UN commander in Golan crisis
- ^ Pulta, Benjamin (March 19, 2024). "BuCor chief's car shot in QC; driver, companion unhurt". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 20, 2024.