Alfonso Arellano

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]

Alfonso Arellano
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office December 29, 1956 – July 1, 1957
Appointed by	President Ramon Magsaysay
President	Carlos P. Garcia Ramon Magsaysay
Deputy	Manuel Cabal
Preceded by	Jesus Vargas
Succeeded by	Manuel Cabal
Vice Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office July 1, 1956 – December 1957
President	Ramon Magsaysay
Preceded by	Eulogio Balao
Succeeded by	Manuel Cabal
Commanding General, Philippine Army
In office December 29, 1954 – July 1, 1956
President	Ramon Magsaysay
Preceded by	Jesus Vargas
Succeeded by	Leoncio S. Tan
Personal details
Born	Alfonso Viterbo Arellano March 12, 1905 Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Philippine Islands
Died	June 1, 1957(1957-06-01) (aged 52)
Spouse	Josephine Arzabal[1]
Parent	Silvino Viterbo Arellano Saturnina Viloria Viterbo
Alma mater	Philippine Constabulary Academy (1929)
Occupation	Soldier
Profession	Soldier
Awards	Legion of Merit[1]
Military service
Allegiance	Philippines  United States of America
Branch/service	Philippine Army Philippine Constabulary
Years of service	1929 - 1957
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	World War II Hukbalahap Campaign

Early years and education

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

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

1. 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

• Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Commanding General Philippine Army
• 41st Infantry Division (Philippines)
• PMA Top Graduates
• PMA Class in AFP Position

Military offices
Preceded by Jesus Vargas	Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 1956 to 1957	Succeeded by Manuel Cabal
Preceded by Jesus Vargas	Commanding General Philippine Army 1956 to 1957	Succeeded by Leoncio S. Tan