Eastmincom head Felimon Santos is new AFP chief

In this file photo, Lt General Felimon Santos Jr. was installed as new commander of Eastern Mindanao Command. President Rodrigo Duterte has picked Santos as the new chief of the Armed Forces, replacing Gen. Noel Clement. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has picked Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos as the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed Thursday.

Santos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, will replace Gen. Noel Clement.

Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go said Duterte would lead the turnover on Saturday, January 4, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, day before Clement is set to retire after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Santos is a former commander of the 7th Infantry Division before becoming the 11th commander of the Eastmincom on January 21, 2019.

Santos once served as the head of the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao City and also became the Army’s Group Commander of Intelligence Service Group.