3 senior officers of PMA Class ’78 to retire early

AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978 is facing attrition in July as its three senior military officers will retire early.

The three are Lieutenant General Roland Detabali, Commanding General of the Southern Luzon Command; Major General Josue Gaverza, Commander of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division; and Rear Admiral Emmanuel Martir, Commandant of the Command and General Staff College.

Detabali will step down on July 16, or two months earlier from original retirement on September 21; Gaverza on July 25, instead of his supposed retirement on January 25, 2013; and Martir on July 25 instead of April 25, 2013.

Two and three star generals must be promoted within three years or the group will be severely attrited.

Military chief General Jessie Dellosa said they have already passed their recommendations on who will replace the retiring officers.

“We have already [made the recommendation to] SND (Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin)… [it will be sent to] the President but as of now I don’t want to preempt the decision of the President regarding this matter,” he said.