Massive‍‍‍‍ movement‍‍‍‍ ‍in AFP posts‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ expected‍‍‍

MANILA, Philippines — The scheduled retirement of Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez and Navy flag officer in command Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad will definitely trigger massive movements in the Armed Forces of the Philippines “because there would be many vacancies,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said on Thursday.The two, who are members of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Sinagtala class of 1986, will retire early this year—Briguez on Jan. 17 and Empedrad on Feb. 3.

Aside from the two top vacancies, the Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) and the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) still have no permanent heads after Solcom chief Gilbert Gapay took over as Army commanding general, and Eastmincom’s Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. was named AFP chief of staff.Arevalo said the board of generals have forwarded the names of possible candidates for the posts to the Department of National Defense.

The impending vacancies would “not have any serious effect on the Armed Forces and its operations,” he said.

“In the AFP, we have a very rigid structure. There is always a deputy either in the absence of the incumbent or for the time being that the appointment of the chief is being processed,” Arevalo said.Candidates to the post of Air Force commanding general include: AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria; Air Force vice commander Maj. Gen. Pelagio Valenzuela; Air Logistics command chief Maj. Gen. Allen Paredes; and Air Education and Training command chief Maj. Gen. Ferdinand Cartujano.

All are members of the PMA Maringal class of 1988.Among those who may be tapped to head the Navy are AFP deputy chief of staff for reservist and retiree affairs Rear Adm. Roberto Enriquez and AFP education, training and doctrine command chief Rear Adm. Adelius Bordado, both members of PMA Maringal class of 1988, as well as PMA Hinirang class of 1987; Philippine fleet commander Rear Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo; naval sea systems command chief Rear Adm. Rommel Jason Galang; naval education, training and doctrine command head Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe; and naval forces Western Mindanao chief Rear Adm. Erick Kagaoan.