DAVAO CITY — Ten Generals are vying for the post which Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Gen. Felimon Santos, Jr., will soon vacate.
Santos is set to retire on August 4 which will then reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.
In a statement published by the Philippine News Agency, the government news information arm, Marine Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson revealed that the Board of Generals has convened and assessed the shortlist of candidates.
“There were about 10 names contained in the list that includes Major Service commanders, Unified Command chiefs, and other three-star generals at the GHQ (General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City),” he said in a statement Sunday.
The recommendation has been submitted to Malacañang, through the Department of National Defense, on the first week of July.
President Rodrigo Duterte will handpick the incoming chief of staff, it is one of his prerogatives, but Duterte may also choose to extend the term of Santos.
Santos, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, is the 53rd AFP chief replacing Gen. Noel Clement who retired on January 4.-Newsline
