DND chief confirms appointment of Santos as next AFP chief

FILE: Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday (March 19, 2019). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Eastern Mindanao Command head, Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr., as the successor of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Noel S. Clement who will formally step down from his post this coming Saturday.

Lorenzana made the confirmation after formally receiving a letter from Malacañan Palace, which was signed by President Rodrigo R.

Duterte, regarding the appointment of Santos as the next AFP chief.

“I wish to inform you that, per your letter endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chairman AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8166, as amended, the designation of LIEUTENANT GENERAL FELIMON T. SANTOS JUNIOR 0-9540 ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES as CHIEF OF STAFF, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES vice GENERAL NOEL S. CLEMENT 0-9265 is hereby approved January 5, 2020,” the letter said.

Clement, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, will be retiring from the military after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on January 5. He was appointed AFP chief last Sept. 24 replacing his classmate Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., who retired from the service after his 56th birthday.

Santos, a member of PMA Class 1986, commanded the Nueva Ecija-based 7th Infantry Division before his appointment as Eastern Mindanao Command head in January of last year.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte appointed Santos on the basis of factors such as competence, honesty, and administrative ability.

“Every time a government official is appointed by the President, ang palagi niya lang sinasabi (what he always says is) is all I’m asking is competence and honesty in your work,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Duterte has repeatedly said he would fire any government official involved in even a “whiff” of corruption. (With reports from Azer Parrocha/PNA)