Negrense Col. Eliglen Villaflor, newly-designated commander of the Special Force Regiment “Airborne”, vowed to further strengthen the capability of the Army’s elite unit, to make it more relevant and responsive to the fast-changing security landscape of the country.
Villaflor, who replaced Brig. Gen. Lincoln Francisco Tagle as SFRA commander, supervises six SF battalions deployed in various conflict-ridden areas of the country.
He also said he will toughen the newly-created 21st Special Forces Company that will take care of the regiment’s floating assets, specializing in riverine operations on littoral and inland waterways of the country.
Villaflor, of Bago City, Negros Occidental, was installed by Army chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., during a change of command ceremony held at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, Jan. 29.
Before his assumption, Villaflor served as deputy commander of the regiment since January 2021. He also held key positions, such as director of the Army Personnel Management Center from February 2018 to January 2021, and as SFRA chief of staff from July 2016 to February 2018.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1992, Villaflor spent his junior years in the military service as commander of the 32nd SF Company in Negros Occidental.
He holds a Master in Human Resource Management degree from Australia’s University of Newcastle, and a Master in Public Management degree from the Development Academy of the Philippines.
Villaflor was among the winners of the Metrobank Foundation—Rotary Club Makati Metro Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) in 2016. — GB
