(FILE PHOTO) Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana. INQUIRER Mindanao file photo / JULIE S. ALIPALA
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana as the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacañang announced Wednesday.
“The Palace confirms that LGEN Cirilito Sobejana will be the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“We are confident that General Sobejana will continue to modernize our military and undertake reform initiatives to make the Armed Forces truly professional in its mandate as the protector of the people and the State. We wish General Sobejana all the best in his new tour of duty as we pray for his success,” he added.
Sobejana, the current chief of the Philippine Army and a Medal of Valor recipient, would replace Gen. Gilbert Gapay, who is set to retire on February 4.
The newly chosen AFP chief is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang” Class of 1987.