Macairog Alberto

Macairog Sabiniano Alberto is a Filipino retired general and diplomat who served as the former Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.

Alberto's previous commands include the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), as well as the 2nd and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalions.

On March 2, 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Alberto as the new Ambassador to Israel, which he served in until the end of the Duterte presidency in 2022.

Education Alberto is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986; other training programs he has completed include the Scout Ranger Course, Command and General Staff Course (Second highest in his class), Strategic Intel Course, Counterterrorism Fellowship Program in the US, and Public Management Major in Development and Security at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). Alberto also holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from the National Defense University in Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.

Military career Lieutenant General Alberto's career started when he served as a Platoon Leader, then a Company Commander at the 2nd Infantry Division (Philippines). Afterwards, Alberto also became a member of the Special Forces as he joined the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment and became a Battalion Commander of two Scout Ranger Battalions; namely the 2nd and 3rd Scout Ranger Battalions, as a lieutenant colonel.

Throughout his career, Alberto was assigned from infantry, intelligence, staff, and special forces positions, and was well-respected among his peers and subordinates. Alberto also served as an intelligence officer for the Philippine Contingent in East Timor from 1999–2000. Alberto also headed the Department of Ground Warfare at the Philippine Military Academy, and served as Commandant of the Scout Ranger Training School. As the commander of the ISAFP, he launched intelligence operations against the New People's Army communist groups, and the Maute group-Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups. Alberto also led intelligence operations throughout the Battle of Marawi against the terrorist's commanders Omar Maute, Abdullah Maute, and Isnilon Hapilon.

Alberto was appointed as the commanding general of the Philippine Army on October 15, 2018, where he earned his third star and was promoted to lieutenant general. Alberto retired from military service on December 6, 2019 and was replaced by then-unified command commander of the AFP Southern Luzon Command, Lieutenant General Gilbert I. Gapay.

Awards

Silver Cross Medals Distinguished Service Medal Gawad sa Kapayapaan

Honorary Airborne Wings - From The Royal Thai Army

Personal life Alberto is married to Jessica O. Alberto; they have four children - two sons and two daughters. His son, Captain Marky John O. Alberto, a graduate of Philippine Army Officer Candidate Course “KASIKLAB” Class 53-2020, was killed in an encounter with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Baco, Oriental Mindoro on August 12, 2025.