BGEN CUNANAN WAS COMMISSIONED AS A SECOND LIEUTENANT IN THE REGULAR FORCE, AFP AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE PHILIPPINE MILITARY ACADEMY IN 1975. THEREAFTER, HE WAS ASSIGNED IN THE CRITICAL SPOTS OF MINDANAO AS A PLATOON LEADER, A COMPANY EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND LATER A COMPANY COMMANDER OF A CO, 9IB,4ID, PA FROM 1975 TO 1978 OPERATING IN THE PROVINCES OF BASILAN, JOLO AND THE TWO  ZAMBOANGA’S.  HE ALSO SERVED  OTHER OPERATING  COMBAT UNITS IN MINDANAO FROM NOV 1978 TO JUN 1983, SUCH AS, THE DEFUNCT RTG (P), 4ID, PA; 45IB FORMERLY ASSIGNED WITH 4ID, PA AND  THE 26IB, 4ID, PA (WHICH BECAME 2SRB, FSSR, PA AND LATER BECAME 75IB, 6ID, PA ).