10 generals on list of bets for next military chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines has submitted to Malacañang the list of generals qualified to be its next chief of staff, as the country’s top soldier, General Felimon Santos Jr., is set to retire next month.

“The AFP board of generals (BOG) has convened and deliberated on the recommendees to the position of AFP chief of staff and chairman of the joint chiefs, currently occupied by General Felimon Santos Jr. who will retire compulsorily on Aug. 4,” AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement on Sunday.

Unified commands

According to Arevalo, there were 10 names in the list which includes Army chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, Navy flag officer-in-command Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes; the heads of the unified commands; and other three-star generals at the general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.

He pointed out that the AFP BOG recommendation was submitted to the Palace through the Department of National Defense in the first week of July.

The AFP spokesperson noted that Santos has been conducting field unit visits to “further boost the morale of the operating troops who have been successful in their conduct of operations.”FelimonFe