Major General Tanalgo named new AFP vice chief of staff

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Thursday named Marines chief Major General Romeo Tanalgo as the next Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Tanalgo will assume his new post on Friday, the day when current AFP Vice Chief. Lt. Gen. John Bonafos will retire, said AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla.

The incoming AFP vice chief belongs to the Philippine Military Academy’s “Matikas” Class of 1983.

Tanalgo was also previously designated as chief of the Western Command, which has jurisdiction of the Philippine claims in the West Philippine Sea.

“Mgen. Tanalgo will also remain as the incumbent commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps until such time that his replacement is named,” Padilla said.

“He is a dedicated and seasoned Marine officer who has serviced with distinction in all his previous assignments. He will definitely bring a lot to the General Headquarters owing to his varied experiences as a decorated commander and respected staff officer,” he also said.

Padilla said Tanalgo’s designation “will complete a truly joint posting of all the major services at the top three posts of the AFP with the AFP’s top honcho form the Philippine Army and the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Philippine Air Force.”