Anthony Alcantara
Anthony J. Alcantara | |
|---|---|
| Executive Director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime | |
| Assumed office August 2024 | |
| Special Envoy on Transnational Crime | |
| Assumed office May 2023 | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch/service |  Philippine Army |
| Years of service | 1979[1]–2013[2] |
| Rank | Lieutenant General[3] |
| Commands | |
Anthony "Cantoi" J. Alcantara[1] is a retired Philippine Army lieutenant general and former police officer who has served as the executive director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) since 2024. He had previously served as the deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from May 3, 2011 to February 2012,[4] as well as commander of the 6th Infantry Division in Cotabato City from November 27, 2009 to May 2, 2011. He was previously a member of the Philippine Constabulary's Special Action Force under Fidel V. Ramos during the People Power Revolution in 1986, and later served as the spokesperson of the Philippine Army in the early 2000s.
As 6th Infantry commander, he implemented the nine-day martial law order of president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the wake of the Maguindanao massacre in 2009. In March 2025, he arrested former president Rodrigo Duterte based on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Education
[edit]Alcantara graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1979.[3]
Police and military career
[edit]Alcantara was initially a member of the Philippine Constabulary's Special Action Force under the leadership of AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos when the People Power Revolution occurred in February 1986.[1] From 1992 to 1997, Alcantara was a member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG, later the Presidential Security Command).[1]
In the early 2000s, Alcantara served as the spokesperson of the Philippine Army.[5][6] On November 27, 2009, Alcantara assumed command of the 6th Infantry Division in Cotabato City four days after the Maguindanao massacre occurred, enforcing the government's nine-day implementation of martial law in order to arrest the incident's perpetrators and prevent further violence from occurring.[3][7][8]
In May 2011, Alcantara was named deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, succeeding Emmanuel Bautista and holding the position until early February 2012, when he assumed command of the AFP Northern Luzon Command.[7][9]
Civilian career
[edit]On April 28, 2023, Alcantara's appointment as Special Envoy on Transnational Crime (SETC) was announced by the Marcos administration, with him assuming office in May 2023.[10] By August 2024, Alcantara was appointed executive director of the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC).[11]
On the morning of March 11, 2025, Alcantara, in coordination with Interpol, served with prosecutor general Richard Fadullon of the Department of Justice the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to former president Rodrigo Duterte upon the latter's return from Hong Kong.[12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d The FVR Library (March 30, 2023). The FVR Legacy - ANTHONY "CANTOI" J. ALCANTARA. YouTube. Google LLC. Event occurs at 00:10. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Mangosing, Francis (July 4, 2013). "General in 'Morong 43' arrest up for key post in W. Visayas–sources". Inquirer News. Manila, Philippines: INQUIRER.net. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
He [Major General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.] will replace retiring Lieutenant General Anthony Alcantara.
- ^ a b c d e Santos, David Yu (January 20, 2012). "Northern Luzon, Western Mindanao have new commanders". Rappler. Manila, Philippines: Rappler Inc. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Laude, Jaime (March 17, 2012). "Air Force general named military's third highest official". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Zamora, Fe B. (December 17, 2000). "How long can Armed Forces stay neutral?". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. A8. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Alcantara, Anthony J. (May 20, 2001). "Group made up of Army reservists". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. A10. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ a b KBK (May 1, 2011). "6th ID chief is now AFP's No. 3 man". GMA News Online. GMA Network Inc. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ TJD; JRCS (December 5, 2009). "Arroyo declares martial law in Maguindanao province". GMA News Online. GMA Network Inc. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Laude, Jaime (March 17, 2012). "Air Force general named military's third highest official". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ "Palace announces 15 new appointments, including envoy for transnational crime". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. May 7, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Flores, Helen (August 4, 2024). "Marcos names new envoys, government officials". Philstar.com. Manila, Philippines: Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Panaligan, Rey G. (March 11, 2025). "SC asked to stop enforcement of ICC's arrest warrant vs ex-Pres Duterte". Manila Bulletin. Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
Department of Justice Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said the ICC arrest warrant was served to Duterte by Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC) Executive Director Anthony Alcantara.
- ^ Baroña, Franco Jose C.; Vergara, Benjamin L.; Valente, Catherine S. (March 11, 2025). "Duterte arrested for crimes vs humanity". The Manila Times. Manila, Philippines: The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. Retrieved March 11, 2025.