Major General Jose P. Magno Jr.
| Major General Jose P. Magno Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 26, 1930 Pozorrubio, Pangasinan |
| 💼 Occupation | |
Early life and education
Jose Magno Jr was born in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan on January 26, 1930. His father, Jose C. Magno was a product of the Philippine Normal School and served later as public school supervisor in various public school districts of Pangasinan. His mother, Vicenta V. Posadas was a class valedictorian at the Pangasinan Vocational School and later on served as classroom teacher in the elementary schools where her husband was assigned.
Magno, a product of public schools, was the valedictorian of the Pozorrubio Pangasinan Provincial High School, class of 1948. He went on to the University of the Philippines to obtain an Associate in Arts degree (with honors) and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Arts-Law curriculum) in 1952. He belongs to the illustrious UP ROTC.[1] class of 1952 dubbed in later years as the Class of Generals. He obtained his postgraduate studies at the US Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA and later at the Indonesian Institute for Security and Defense (LEMHANAS) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Military training
Shortly after graduation from UP, he, together with 50 ranking cadet officers from the various universities and colleges of the country were commissioned as 2nd lieutenants in the Reserve Force and called to active duty on July 1, 1952 to fill the need for platoon leaders of the newly formed Battalion Combat Teams (BCT’s). Starting as the top graduate of the Company Officers Course at the Infantry Department of the Philippine Army School Center, he embarked on a colorful military career in the Army starting as a lieutenant with the famous Scout Rangers involved in hunting down the key leaders of the HMB, the forerunner of the now CPP/New Peoples Army. Along with three other officers, he was selected to train at the US Army Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he specialized in special forces and psychological operations thus earning the privilege and distinction to wear the green beret. He successfully earned his paratrooper wings after completing the airborne course at the US Army 82nd Airborne Division.
Upon his return to the Philippines, he was chosen to be part of a committee to conduct an extensive research, study and formulate an AFP Concept of Unconventional Warfare. The study was officially approved by AFP, paving the way for the organization and training of the 1st Special Forces Company (Airborne) of the Philippine Army.
Military assignments
His Army career was punctuated by two tours in South Vietnam as a member of a select group of specialists together with a medical – surgical team dubbed as (PHILCON 1) to serve as advisers to units of the Army of Vietnam, followed by a larger unit, the 1st Philippine Civic Action Group, Vietnam (PHILCAG V) assigned to the province of Tay Ninh for two years[2]
After a year of schooling at the Army of the Republic of Indonesia Command and General Staff College in Bandung, Indonesia (SESKOAD) he reported back to the Philippine Army where he was designated Commander of the 10th Infantry Battalion, the first combat ready battalion of the Army’s 1st Infantry Tabak Division at that time and was shipped to Malabang, Lanao del Sur on October 21, 1972 to reenforce the beleaguered PC units there, during the start of the MNLF rebellion in the province. He was successful in restoring peace and security and thus gained the acceptance and support of his battalion by the Maranaos. He was a true advocate of peace and reconciliation among the non-combatants on one hand while fighting the secessionists with the other hand. This twin approach earned for his unit the title, The Peacemaker.
After his stint as battalion commander, he was designated as the Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Division, in Cagayan de Oro City. He was deployed to Jolo to spearhead the rehabilitation of Jolo town, which was burned and reduced to ashes by the MNLF rebels in February 1974[3]. He organized and commanded the 3rd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division where he embarked on a campaign to restore peace and reconciliation in the two Lanao Provinces so economic development could take place. It was in this duty assignment where he earned his first star in August 1977.
He also served as Commanding Generals of the Central Mindanao, (CEMCOM); Regional Unified Command (RUC 3) in Central Luzon; Regional Unified Command (RUC 9) in the two Zamboanga provinces.
On February 28, 1986, General Magno was designated Commander of SOUTHCOM. Under his command, SOUTHCOM had operational control over the whole Mindanao including Sulu, Basilan and Tawi Tawi. At the peak of its strength it had the 1st Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army; two brigades of the 3rd Infantry Division, one brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, two brigades of the Philippine Marines; all
Government Service Insurance System / Board of Trustees =
Reconstruction of the 7 story GSIS building after he successfully relocated 3,000 informal settlers (squatters) to a new area in Cavite so that repair and reconstruction of the abandoned GSIS building could start. Construction of three new buildings was completed in two years and was inaugurated by President Ramos on ---- The new building
The Philippine PC/INP units in Mindanao, the 3rd Air Division, Philippine Air Force, and the Naval Forces of Southern Philippines plus Civilian Home Defense Forces (CHDF) and Special Para Military Forces. SOUTHCOM had under its operational control some 75,000 Armed Forces and Police Forces and about 50,000 para-military Forces. General Magno received his second star from President Corazon C. Aquino on 11 June, 1986.
Government positions after retirement
He retired on 30 September, 1986 after 34 years of active service, half of which were spent as commander of forces in Mindanao conflict areas after which he was appointed as Presidential Consultant on Military Affairs by President Corazon C. Aquino. Having been known as a peacemaker even during his active service, he was designated member of the Government Peace Panel that initiated peace process with the Moro National Liberation Front, the CPP/NDF and with Father Conrado Balweg, the rebel priest of the Cordilleras.
As representative of President Aquino he was invited to the United States to brief the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Pentagon on the counter-insurgency effort of the AFP under the new president and to lobby with the US State Department for the early release of funds earmarked for the AFP.
Perhaps, as Chairman of the GSIS Board of Trustees under the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos, Chairman Magno’s greatest accomplishment was his having completed the relocation of 3,000 informal settlers (squatters) from the area surrounding the building so that the repair and reconstruction of the neglected, abandoned building of the GSIS could proceed. Two years later President inaugurated GSIS building, an elegant edifice that GSIS members can be proud of.[4]
Awards and decorations
A bemedalled military officer, he received 7 Distinguished Service Stars, 2 Bronze Medals for gallantry, 3 Outstanding Achievement Medals, 5 Military Merit medals and 4 Military Commendation Ribbons and a multitude of other military service awards. He was also a recipient of numerous foreign awards and decorations like the SESKOAD Badge for Excellence for graduating number 1 in his class at the Indonesian Command and General Staff School, The Vietnamese Medal of Honor and the Tong – II medal from the South Korean Ministry of Defense. He proudly wears on his breast the AFP Golden Master Parachute Badge, the US Master Parachute Wings and the Vietnamese Special Forces Paratroopers Badge.
Distinguished achievements
Military career
MEMBER OF THE CADRE STAFF OF THE PIONEER SCOUT RANGER TRAINING UNIT, PHILIPPINE ARMY.
As a regular scout ranger team leader, he participated in successful search operations versus Hadji Kamlon in Jolo and later deployed versus Politburo targets in Luzon. 1952 – 1956.
One of the organizing cadre of the 1st special forces company (airborne) Philippine Army based in Fort Magsaysay 1961- 1962.
Trained organic personnel and later with volunteers from the major services of the AFP in special operations, basic airborne and unconventional warfare.
1ST PHILIPPINE CONTINGENT (PHILCON I) TO SOUTH VIETNAM.
As adviser to the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam on civic action, psychological warfare, training of regional/popular forces 1964 – 65.
One of the organizing cadre staff in the AFP supported PC Metropolitan command (Metrocom) upon arrival from South Vietnam 1968 -1970.
BN COMMANDER OF THE 10TH INF BATTALION, TABAK DIVISION STATIONED IN CENTRAL LUZON.
The first combat ready unit deployed to Mindanao, after the MNLF attack at Marawi Lanao Sur in Oct 21, 1972. Restored peace and security in the Lanao Sur and Lanao Norte provinces, dubbed the peacemaker after two years of deployment.
FIRST FOREIGN STUDENT OFFICER TO FINISH AS HONOR GRADUATE AT THE ONE YEAR COURSE AT SESKOAD, REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE, AT BANDUNG.
He had learned how to speak and write in Bahasa during the course. 1969 -1970.
HEAD OF THE TASK FORCE FOR THE REHABILITATION OF BURNED TOWN OF JOLO. FEBRUARY 1974.
COMMANDING GENERAL OF CENTRAL MINDANAO COMMAND (CEMCOM) BASED IN COTABATO CITY.
Served as the military partner of the Chairman of Autonomous Region XII. 1981-1983.
COMMANDING GENERAL OF SOUTHERN COMMAND (SOUTHCOM)
With headquarters in Zamboanga with operational jurisdiction over the entire Mindanao mainland, Basilan, Jolo ,Sulu and Tawi-Tawi until his retirement from the military. Service in 1986.
PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO APPOINTED RETIRED GENERAL MAGNO AS THE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER ON MILITARY AFFAIRS 1986 - 1992.
Assumed missions involving the Philippine government interests at the US State Department in Washington; with US Cincpac in Hawaii; with the Japanese diet in Tokyo; with president Suharto's cabinet in Jakarta Indonesia.
Corporate career
PRESIDENT RAMOS APPOINTED GENERAL MAGNO AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM 1992[5].
But first he had to clear the surrounding area of the unfinished GSIS building and relocate the 3,000 informal settlers (squatters) before the repair and reconstruction of the 8 story building could begin. Completed works on the abandoned building was completed in two years and was officially presented to President Ramos during proper inaugural ceremonies in 1994.
AFTER HIS SECOND RETIREMENT FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1998, GENERAL MAGNO JOINED THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITRA METRO MANILA TOLLWAYS CORPORATION AND WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN UNTIL 2005[6].
MR RAMON ANG, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF SAN MIGUEL CORPORATION WAS ELECTED AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF CITRA TOLLWAYS CORPORATION WHICH WAS RENAMED AS THE SAN MIGUEL SKYWAY CORPORATION IN 2020 GEN MAGNO WAS RETAINED AS VICE CHAIRMAN, A POSITION WHICH HE OCCUPIES UNTIL TODAY.
References
- ↑ April 2020, Aldwin Galapon. "The UP ROTC Story". www.upvanguard.org. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ↑ April 2020, Aldwin Galapon. "The UP ROTC Story". www.upvanguard.org. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ↑ "Easter surprise: FVR visits veterans at VMMC". politics.com.ph. 2018-04-01. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ↑ "Board of Directors – STATE INVESTMENT HOUSE, INC". Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ↑ "Board of Directors – STATE INVESTMENT HOUSE, INC". Retrieved 2021-03-29.
- ↑ "Board of Directors – STATE INVESTMENT HOUSE, INC". Retrieved 2021-03-29.
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