DAVAO CITY (December 6) — President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, to replace Gen. Carlito Galvez, who is set to retire on December 12.
Duterte confirmed Madrigal’s appointment through a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Dec. 5.
Madrigal is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.
AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Madrigal is highly-regarded and much-respected senior officer who has distinguished himself in a wide spectrum of military operations. His ascent to the top of the AFP leadership hierarchy has been considered by his peers, superiors, and subordinates to be remarkable. He has gone through the tactical and operational echelons of command with high distinction.
Madrigal, the 51st AFP chief-of-staff, served notably as 4th Infantry Division commander, Southern Luzon Command and Eastern Mindanao Command chief.
Arevalo added that Madrigal earned distinction during his term at the Eastern Mindanao Command, where troops under his command dismantled seven New People’s Army guerilla fronts and weakened 16 others.
“He is widely known in the AFP to maintain steep standards, focused in his actions, deliberate with his plans, and able to lead the men and women under him to accomplish difficult missions as a team,” he added.
A military official here described Madrigal as “Sharp planner and he is very observant, he always have series of plans aside from the contingency plans, tactician sya.”
“He is a compassionate commander to those whom he worked with and even with friends or adversaries. This is evident in the unprecedented number of terrorist NPA surrenderers in Eastern Mindanao. Notwithstanding these attributes, Lt. Gen. Madrigal, Jr. is an amiable officer, cheerful, and easy to get along with,” Arevalo disclosed.
Personnel of the Eastern Mindanao Command here described Madrigal as a soft spoken but very sharp military officer.-ezc/NewsLine.ph
