AFP deputy chief of staff, 49 other military officers secure CA nod
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed the appointments of Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Charlton Sean Gaerlan and 49 other military officers on Tuesday.
Gaerlan, together with the other AFP generals and flag officers, secured the nod of the powerful congressional body after the CA national defense panel recommended their promotions for plenary confirmation.
As the most senior AFP officer among those confirmed in the CA plenary, Gaerlan first answered questions from members of the committee, including Sen. JV Ejercito’s query about how frequent “hostilities” occur between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards in the vicinity of Kalayaan Island.
“There is always continuous harassment of our troops there in the Kalayaan Island Group, and sometimes, the provision of troops there is always delayed depending on the situation at hand,” Gaerlan said.
He noted that aggressive maneuvers of Chinese forces in the disputed territory are “very dangerous, especially to our Navy men who are using the ships.”
“And it may cause damage or even loss of life if there will be a lot of miscalculation on our part,” Gaerlan said.
Despite the risks, Gaerlan said, Philippine forces continue to go to the area to conduct their operations.
Aside from Gaerlan, the promotion of the following AFP generals and flag officers likewise secured the nod of the CA:
- Leo Edward Caranto to the rank of Brigadier General
- Orlando Edralin to the rank of Brigadier General
- Juario Marayag to the rank of Commodore
- Ulpiano Olarte to the rank of Brigadier General
- Alvin Luzon to the rank of Brigadier General
- Patricio Ruben Amata to the rank of Brigadier General
- Patriarch Robinson Pel to the rank of Brigadier General
- Rey Alemania to the rank of Major General
- Michael Samson to the rank of Brigadier General
- Ritza Ann Jovellanos to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Elmer Villanueva to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Ashley Nastor to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
- Joel Salaguinto to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Vincent Mauricio to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Ronald Lacbain to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Michael Deon Costes to the rank of Colonel, Medical Administrative Corps
- Emmanuel Degal to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
- Luzmindo Mamauag Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Christopher Mendoza to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Bienvenido Hindang Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Jesus Diocton to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Jayson Manaligod to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Vito Minlo Sarmiento to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Christopher Pablo to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Alvin Jay Capinguian to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Maricris Castro to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
- Eric Alcera to the rank of Colonel, Judge Advocate General Service
- Wilfredo Borgonia Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Benjamin Pajarito Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Victorino Seno to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Antonio Lalisan II to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Dominic Benauro to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Rogelio Lachica Jr. to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Daniel Tanjuan to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Cyrus Mendoza to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Rodolfo Mangaya Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Ma. Cherry Pie Fernandez to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Kris Abad to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Abraham Gemora to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Ralph Hibionada to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Edward Cervantes to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Francis Dancel to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Nasul Sajili to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Rodel Pacordo to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Benito Noel Rivera to the rank of Colonel, Dental Service
- Joseph Jeremias Cirilo Dator to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
- Amado Dela Paz to the rank of Brigadier General
- Gaylord Santos to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
- Paul Anthony Aviquivil to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
Prior to the CA deliberations, Aviquivil and Brigadier General Antonio Rota Jr. submitted a letter for waiver of personal appearance but only the request of the former was approved by the committee.
National defense panel chair and incumbent Camiguin Representative Jurdin Jesus Romualdo noted that Aviquivil was not present in the CA deliberations – even through virtual means – because he is in Australia for defense talks.
Ejercito, meanwhile, moved to disapprove Rota’s letter for waiver of personal appearance and, in effect, pushed back the consideration of his promotion “to a later date to give him the opportunity to be present physically during the deliberations.”
Hearing no objections, Romualdo approved Ejercito’s motion and said the deliberations for Rota’s appointment will be held next week instead.
