Army’s Sobejana formally assumes post as AFP chief

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of Armed Forces of the Philippines. Screenshot from RTVM.

MANILA, Philippines — Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, former chief of the Philippine Army, has formally assumed as the head of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte earlier witnessed the AFP change of command where outgoing AFP Chief-of-Staff General Gilbert Gapay, retires this Thursday and will be replaced by Sobejana.

Incoming AFP chief Sobejana is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1987. He is the first in his class to be designated to the top post in the Philippine military.

In a statement, the Philippine Army lauded Sobejana’s leadership in the battle against 150 armed Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists in Sitio Caro in 1995.

Sobejana led the 16-man unit of the First Scout Ranger Regiment in the firefight against the ASG members. Around 42 ASG members and seven Army soldiers died while nine other soldiers were injured in the gun battle.

“Because of this heroic act, Sobejana is considered as one of the country’s living heroes and was awarded the country’s highest military award, the Medal for Valor,” Philippine Army said.

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