Bautista is next Army chief

FILE: Seal of the Philippine_Army.svg (Photo By: Philippine Army, Public Domain)

MANILA — Major Gen. Rolando Bautista, commander of the Zamboanga Del Sur-based 1st Infantry Division, was named head of the 85,000-strong Philippine Army (PA).

This was confirmed by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana saying Bautista’s appointment as PA chief was signed Wednesday by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Bautista replaces Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda who will be stepping down Thursday, four days before his 56th birthday that marks the mandatory retirement age for all military and police officers.

Bautista is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985 while his predecessor is a member of PMA Class of 1983.

Bautista is former commander of the Presidential Security Group tasked to protect and secure the Chief Executive.

He took the helm of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion and 104th Infantry Brigade before assuming command of the 1st Infantry Division. (PNA)