Key PH military officers get CA confirmation

CA CONFIRMS CHIEF OF STAFF GEN. FAUSTINO, 40 OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE AFP: The CA approved the nominations of Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. and five other generals, including the ad interim appointments of 35 senior military officials. (Joseph Vidal/Senate Prib)

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Appointments on Wednesday approved the promotion of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. to four-star general.

Faustino is the 10th AFP chief to be appointed under President Rodrigo Duterte, where AFP chiefs served an average of six months. He took the reins of the AFP last July 31 and is set to retire on Nov. 12 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

“The AFP leadership is grateful for the Commission on Appointments’ continuous trust and support as we rise through the military ranks taking on higher responsibilities to serve our country,” Faustino was quoted as saying.

The CA also confirmed the nomination of Southern Luzon Command chief Maj. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, whose confirmation was earlier deferred after it was opposed by the family of Philippine Military Academy cadet Darwin Dormitorio, who died from hazing in the hands of fellow cadets in 2019.

Bacarro was PMA commandant of cadets at that time. But in 2020, the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office cleared Bacarro and three other PMA officials for lack of probable cause. The Dormitorio family filed a petition for review at the Department of Justice in the same year.

The CA also confirmed the promotion of Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado and also of Brig. Gen. Robert Velasco, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, and Brig. Gen. Augusto Gaite.

The promotion of Philippine Army chief of staff Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong to major general was also approved by the CA.
Three Philippine Navy captains and a Marine colonel also received confirmation for their promotions: Capt. Tirso Chavez, Capt. Jude Joseph Sumpay, Capt. Marlon Roy Roa and Col. Ronald Virtudazo.

Also confirmed were Col. Perpetuo Tan Jr. from the Veterinary Corps, Col. Jesus Francisco Torbela from the Corps of Professors, and Col. Rene Tambago from the Chaplain Service.

TSB