Philippine Army gets new commanding general

MANILA, Philippines—Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. on Tuesday (Feb. 16) took the reins of the 100,000-strong Philippine Army as its new commanding general.

Faustino replaced Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, who was recently named as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Faustino assumed the post in an acting capacity because he would retire this coming November.

Prior to his appointment, Faustino was commander of Davao City-based Eastern Mindanao Command.

Faustino is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988. He is a Scout Ranger and a veteran intelligence officer.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who presided over the change of command ceremony at the Army headquarters in Taguig City, said Faustino proved himself “most deserving to lead the Army.”

“Like Lieutenant General Sobejana and those who came before them, he also went through the ladder of the command in the Philippine Army,” he said.

The defense chief said Faustino is expected to ensure that the Army was responsivle not only to the military’s multifaceted challenges but proactive in addressing emerging threats at the same time.

TSB