Alfonso Viterbo Arellano () was a Filipino army officer who served as AFP Chief of Staff from 1956 to 1958. He was a World War II veteran and decorated soldier. He was appointed by President Ramon Magsaysay a fellow WW II hero.
Early years and education
Arellano was born on March 12, 1905,
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
Arellano, then Captain, commanded 41st Field Artillery Battalion
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
The Bataan Death March was the Death march, forcible transfer by the Imperial Japanese Army of around 72,000 to 78,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war (POWs) from the municipalities of Bagac and Mariveles on the Bataan Peninsula to Camp ...
.
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
See also
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Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) is the highest-ranking military officer (except for the President of the Philippines, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief equivalent to a five-star general) and the he ...
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Commanding General Philippine Army
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41st Infantry Division (Philippines)
PMA Top Graduates
{{DEFAULTSORT:Arellano, Alfonso
Chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Non-U.S. alumni of the Command and General Staff College
Philippine Army generals
Bataan Death March prisoners
Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Star
Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
Recipients of the Gold Cross (Philippines)
Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (South Korea)
Recipients of the Philippine Legion of Honor
Foreign recipients of the Silver Star
Burials at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
Macapagal administration personnel
1905 births
1957 deaths