MANILA, Philippines—Incoming Army chief Major General Emmanuel Bautista says he is unfazed by the fact he’s younger than many of the division commanders of the Philippine Army.
Bautista, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class ’81, will replace outgoing Army chief Major General Arturo Ortiz. He will assume the post in a formal turn-over ceremony at Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.
Among the senior PMA graduates who will be under Bautista are Southern Command Major General Roberto Morales, Army Support Command chief Brigadier General Arnulfo Palmea, Army chief of staff Major General Renato David and Army Vice Commander brigadier General Rolando Tenefrancia, all members of the PMA Class ‘79.
Bautista said this is not the first time a younger general was appointed in a higher position in the military.
“The army is a professional organization, we have gone a long way and we follow the chain of command,” Bautista said.
He said the appointment was an honor and a challenge for him.
“It’s an honor to have been designated as commanding general. It is an opportunity and I take it as challenge to do good for the army,” Bautista told reporters in a telephone interview.
Bautista had served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, of the AFP where he was among the proponents of the Internal Peace and Security Plan being implemented by the government.
He also served as the Commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry Division involved in the security operations in Central Luzon, including and running after New People’s Army rebels.