Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang is new AFP Vice Chief of Staff

Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Lieutenant General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. is the new Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In orders obtained by INQUIRER.net, Catapang’s designation was approved by President Benigno Aquino III effective May 16. His appointment was recommended by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and AFP chief General Emmanuel Bautista.

Gazmin also confirmed to INQUIRER.net Catapang’s new assignment on Wednesday night.

Talks are rife that Catapang, who heads the Northern Luzon Command, will be the next AFP chief when Bautista retires in July. He is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981.

During his younger years, Catapang was a member of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement. He also served as 7th Infantry Division commander before he headed Nolcom. His current unit is based in Tarlac, the province of Aquino.

Catapang will replace now retired Lt. Gen. Alan Luga who stepped down from service last week. He will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 11, 2015.

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