Tanalgo is new AFP vice chief of staff as Bonafos retires

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines will be getting a new vice chief of staff as Lt. Gen. John Bonafos retires on Friday.

Bonafos will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, who will also remain as the chief of the Philippine Marine Corps until his replacement is named.

Bonafos will be turning 56 on October 19 but the turnover and retirement ceremonies will be held on Friday at Camp Aguinaldo.

Col. Restituto Padilla, the AFP spokesperson, said Tanalgo’s assumption would complete a joint posting of the major services at the top three posts of the military.

This is because Gen. Hernando Iriberri, the AFP chief, is from the Philippine Army, while the chief directorial staff, Maj. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, is from the Philippine Air Force.

“Tanalgo is a dedicated and seasoned Marine officer who has served with distinction in all his previous assignments. He will definitely bring a lot to the general headquarters owing to his varied experiences as a decorated commander and respected staff officer,” said Padilla.

Bonafos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1982, assumed his post as vice chief of staff in August last year after serving as chief of the AFP Central Command.

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Angelito De Leon, the former AFP operations chief, assumed his new post as chief of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Central Luzon.

De Leon, a member of PMA Class of 1984, replaced Brig. Gen. Henry Sabarre, the acting division commander.

De Leon was formerly assigned as chief of the AFP Command Center and several posts in the Philippine Army. He is set to retire on October 2, 2017. SFM