MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen the next commanding general of the 98,000-strong Philippine Army, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander of Southern Luzon Command, will replace Army chief Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, the defense chief said.
Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay. Photo from AFP Southern Luzon Command Facebook page
Alberto will reach the compulsory retirement age of 56 on Friday, Dec. 6.
Gapay is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, where he finished on top of his class.
Prior to his assignment in the Southern Luzon Command, Gapay served as commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division and deputy commander of Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, the hometown of Duterte.
Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo earlier said there were five shortlisted candidates for the top Army post.