Search on for next AFP chief

The search has started for the next military chief with the retirement of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya next month.

Three-star generals from the major services (Army, Air Force and Navy) and unified commanders are all contenders for the post, AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo told reporters on Monday.

“Ang contenders dito are all generals with the rank of lieutenant general or three-star, so ang mga three-star are unified commanders at saka major service commanders,” he said.

The Board of Generals will select the qualified officers and will submit their selection to the Department of National Defense. The shortlisted names of candidates will be given to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Visaya will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on December 8. He assumed the top military post last July.

Last week, he has started his farewell visits to military camps. He has so far visited the 7th Infantry Division in Nueva Ecija, 3rd Infantry Division in Capiz, 10th Infantry Division in Compostela Valley and the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao.

Arevalo said that the outgoing AFP chief is not keen on an extension, but will follow orders should he be extended.

“He is not working out for an extension, but it’s only the President who may extend the term of an incumbent chief of staff, so again it is up to our Commander-in-Chief if he would extend it,” he said./rga