US and Philippine military troops participate in the opening ceremony of Balikatan Exercises on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. File photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — The promotion of 49 Armed Forces of the Philippines officers, including 502nd Infantry Brigade commander Brigadier General Eugene Mata, was approved by Commission on Appointments on Wednesday.
They were confirmed by the congressional body after the CA national defense committee recommended their ad interim appointments for confirmation in the plenary.
Mata, the most senior AFP officer in the batch, was first subjected to questions during the panel deliberations.
Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta asked him if there is a need to revise or amend the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and its longtime ally United States.
Mata said there could be “necessary changes” to the defense pact, which should be discussed by the two nations.
“It should be amended for the best interest of our country,” he said.
Marcoleta further asked Mata if Philippines is capable of “resisting armed attack,” particularly from Asian giant China.
Ties between Manila and Beijing have soured over the decades due to a dispute in the West Philippine Sea – a waterway within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.
Philippines has repeatedly called on China to restrain its forces in the contested waters.
Beijing asserts that the waterway is part of its territory despite a 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected its expansive claims in the South China Sea.
“In my opinion, Philippines cannot defend itself against aggression from external forces, in particular, the People’s Republic of China, because of the very limited capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Mata said.
READ: AFP tells China to restrain forces in the West Philippine Sea
Aside from Mata, the following are the other CA-confirmed AFP officers and their new ranks:
- Ronaldo Valdez – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Jose Fabian Sperri Gotico – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Ronaldo Mateo – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Randy Banaag – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Rafman Altre – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Charlieben Delamide – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Shahjahan Carl delos Santos – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Romulus Rabara – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Harold Sucayre – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Edgardo Talaroc Jr. – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Emmanuel Cabahug – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Roberto Obaob – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Jo-ar Herrera – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Joey Baybayan – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Noel Escalona – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Aldrin Montalvo – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Jeric Hechanova – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Vincent Castańeda – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Rosie Rey Musil – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Julius Reyes – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Fidel Macatangay – Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
- Jasper Adrales – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Jorge Garcia – Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
- Junnifer Cantal – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Jonathan Hallara – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Alvin Sevilla – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Cecilia Frias – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Michael Vincent Mallari – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Lilian Victoria Busto – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Aldrich Raymund Fernandez – Colonel, Medical Corps
- Emmanuel Salmasan – Colonel, Medical Administrative Corps
- Edgar Gonzales – Colonel, Dental Service
- Marlon Dayao – Colonel, Judge Advocate General Service
- Elchor Caralian – Colonel, Medical Corps (Reserve)
- Melvin Flores – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Gerard Alvaran – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Alexander Banatao – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Imelda Nadala – Colonel, Philippine Army
- Ronie Marimoto – Colonel, Philippine Army
- John Manuel Cortez – Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
- Oliver Obongen – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Rotessa Baylon – Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
- Michael Ian Gavilan – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Ronald Rey Labastida – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Leo Amor Vidal – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Sadiri Tabutol – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
- Bennie Demetillo – Captain, Philippine Navy
- Jay Baquiran – Colonel, Philippine Air Force
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