PMA superintendent to retire Feb. 17; selection process for successor starts

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Military Academy will be having a new superintendent next month with the retirement of its current chief.

Maj. Gen. Oscar Lopez is set to retire on February 17 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 for uniformed personnel.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines said a selection process has started to name Lopez’s replacement as the overseer of the premier military school.

“As part of the changes that are forthcoming, there is an ongoing selection process. But the name will not be revealed until the President decides,” said Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson.

Lopez assumed the post of PMA superintendent on February 15, 2014 as its 56th superintendent.

Aside from Lopez, another top military official is set to retire in the coming months.

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, the commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, will be turning 56 on March 20.

Padilla said the process of selecting the replacement of the retiring military officials has always been a closely guarded confidential matter of the Board of Generals, which has been making the recommendations subject to the final approval of the President.  SFM