Two Army officers took over the leadership of two military units in Central Mindanao following the relief of their predecessors following the massacre of 57 journalists and civilians on Monday in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

Named as the new commander of the 6th Infantry Division was Major General Anthony Alcantara, formerly assigned as commander of the Training and Doctrine Command. The new chief of the 601st Brigade is Colonel Leo Ferrer, erstwhile commander of the Task Force General Santos City.

Alcantara and Ferrer replaced Major General Alfredo Cayton and Colonel Medardo Geslani, respectively, who were both relieved on Friday and will be asked to appear in the investigation that will be conducted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Inspector General in Camp Aguinaldo.

Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, chief military information officer, said the investigation is aimed at ferreting out the truth regarding the alleged refusal of Cayton and Geslani to provide security escorts for the election convoy before it proceeded to Shariff Aguak to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu as governor of Maguindanao.

“They will be asked to explain because of the accusations. This is to erase any doubt,” said Brawner.

But Brawner was quick to clarify that the investigation is not aimed at determining if the two are suspects in the massacre but merely for their alleged inaction on the request for security escorts which critics said could have prevented the massacre.

He added that the two officers will be given other posts once the investigation revealed that the allegation is baseless.

Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa said that the PNP is also probing a similar allegation against police officers in Maguindanao.

Brawner said the installation of Alcantara and Ferrer is aimed at ensuring the smooth flow of the chain of command in Maguindanao amid the volatile security situation in the province between the political clans of Mangudadatu and Ampatuan.

Earlier, additional policemen and soldiers were sent to Maguindanao to ensure that violence would not erupt as an offshoot of the massacre. Checkpoints and patrols have been increased in the area.