CA confirms Madrigal as AFP chief
MANILA, Philippines — The powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal Jr.
As chair of the CA’s committee on national defense, Zamboanga 1st District Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos endorsed Madrigal’s confirmation during the plenary session.
No one objected to the confirmation of Madrigal as the AFP chief of staff. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri seconded the motion of the confirmation of Madrigal.
Madrigal, who was formerly the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander, replaced Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Benjamin Madrigal Jr. INQUIRER.NET PHOTO/CATHY MIRANDA
READ: EastMinCom commander Madrigal is next AFP chief
Madrigal led the Davao-based Eastmincom in November 2017, after Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero was appointed chief of staff.
He also previously served as commander of Southern Luzon Command, assistant chief of 10th Infantry Division and commander of 4th Infantry Division.
Aside from Madrigal, the CA also confirmed of the ad interim appointments of two other AFP officials: Noel Clemente to the rank of Lieutenant General and Virgilio Bartolome as Brigadier General.
Madrigal said that during his term, he would prioritize the operationalization of the national task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte to end the local communist insurgency.
He added that he would also focus on terrorist groups currently spreading violence in Mindanao.
“Of course we want to operationalize ‘yung kagustuhan ng ating Pangulo na nagcreate ng national task force to end local communist armed conflict at ito ang prayoridad natin,” Madrigal told reporters in an interview.
The newly-confirmed AFP chief also said he wants to establish “conflict-resilient” communities by getting the support of other stakeholders.
He said he would also push for peace through “community-centered activities to be able to reach out to the residents of conflict-affected areas and address their concerns and give them a “levelled understanding” of the situation. /je/muf
