AFP deputy chief of staff, 49 other military officers secure CA nod

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Appointments (CA) confirmed the appointments of Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Charlton Sean Gaerlan and 49 other military officers on Tuesday. 

Gaerlan, together with the other AFP generals and flag officers, secured the nod of the powerful congressional body after the CA national defense panel recommended their promotions for plenary confirmation.  

As the most senior AFP officer among those confirmed in the CA plenary, Gaerlan first answered questions from members of the committee, including Sen. JV Ejercito’s query about how frequent “hostilities” occur between the Philippine and Chinese coast guards in the vicinity of Kalayaan Island.

“There is always continuous harassment of our troops there in the Kalayaan Island Group, and sometimes, the provision of troops there is always delayed depending on the situation at hand,” Gaerlan said.

He noted that aggressive maneuvers of Chinese forces in the disputed territory are “very dangerous, especially to our Navy men who are using the ships.” 

“And it may cause damage or even loss of life if there will be a lot of miscalculation on our part,” Gaerlan said. 

Despite the risks, Gaerlan said, Philippine forces continue to go to the area to conduct their operations. 

Aside from Gaerlan, the promotion of the following AFP generals and flag officers likewise secured the nod of the CA: 

1. Leo Edward Caranto to the rank of Brigadier General
2. Orlando Edralin to the rank of Brigadier General
3. Juario Marayag to the rank of Commodore
4. Ulpiano Olarte to the rank of Brigadier General
5. Alvin Luzon to the rank of Brigadier General
6. Patricio Ruben Amata to the rank of Brigadier General
7. Patriarch Robinson Pel to the rank of Brigadier General
8. Rey Alemania to the rank of Major General
9. Michael Samson to the rank of Brigadier General
10. Ritza Ann Jovellanos to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
11. Elmer Villanueva to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
12. Ashley Nastor to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Navy-Marines
13. Joel Salaguinto to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
14. Vincent Mauricio to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
15. Ronald Lacbain to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
16. Michael Deon Costes to the rank of Colonel, Medical Administrative Corps
17. Emmanuel Degal to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
18. Luzmindo Mamauag Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
19. Christopher Mendoza to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
20. Bienvenido Hindang Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
21. Jesus Diocton to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
22. Jayson Manaligod to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
23. Vito Minlo Sarmiento to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
24. Christopher Pablo to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
25. Alvin Jay Capinguian to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
26. Maricris Castro to the rank of Colonel, Medical Corps
27. Eric Alcera to the rank of Colonel, Judge Advocate General Service
28. Wilfredo Borgonia Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
29. Benjamin Pajarito Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
30. Victorino Seno to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
31. Antonio Lalisan II to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
32. Dominic Benauro  to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
33. Rogelio Lachica Jr. to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
34. Daniel Tanjuan to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
35. Cyrus Mendoza to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
36. Rodolfo Mangaya Jr. to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
37. Ma. Cherry Pie Fernandez to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
38. Kris Abad to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
39. Abraham Gemora to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
40. Ralph Hibionada to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
41. Edward Cervantes to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
42. Francis Dancel to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
43. Nasul Sajili to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
44. Rodel Pacordo to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force
45. Benito Noel Rivera to the rank of Colonel, Dental Service
46. Joseph Jeremias Cirilo Dator to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army
47. Amado Dela Paz to the rank of Brigadier General
48. Gaylord Santos to the rank of Captain, Philippine Navy
49. Paul Anthony Aviquivil to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Air Force

Prior to the CA deliberations, Aviquivil and Brigadier General Antonio Rota Jr. submitted a letter for waiver of personal appearance but only the request of the former was approved by the committee.

National defense panel chair and incumbent Camiguin Representative Jurdin Jesus Romualdo noted that Aviquivil was not present in the CA deliberations – even through virtual means – because he is in Australia for defense talks. 

Ejercito, meanwhile, moved to disapprove Rota’s letter for waiver of personal appearance and, in effect, pushed back the consideration of his promotion “to a later date to give him the opportunity to be present physically during the deliberations.” 

Hearing no objections, Romualdo approved Ejercito’s motion and said the deliberations for Rota’s appointment will be held next week instead. 

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