AFP chief now a 4-star general

FILE: Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. was promoted to the rank of 4-star general in a donning ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Thursday morning.

Madrigal’s fourth star was donned by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato said in statement.

Madrigal was installed as AFP chief in December last year, replacing now Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

Also promoted to the next higher rank in a separate ceremony were Major Gen. Noel Clement, Central Command’s acting commander, and Brig. Gen. Pablo Lorenzo, AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence.

Prior to his present assignment, Clement commanded the 501st and 602nd Infantry Brigades and the 10th Infantry Division serving under the Eastern Mindanao Command, which was then commanded by Madrigal.

He was also designated as AFP deputy chief-of-staff for operations.

Clement replaced Lt. Gen. Paul Atal who was designated as AFP Inspector General in November last year. Meanwhile, Lorenzo was Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense before his appointment as intelligence chief.

“Their solid record of service speaks of their capability, capacity, and commitment to be promoted,” Madrigal said of Clement and Lorenzo.

“They are committed and capable officers, professionals who display the highest standard of leadership, competence, and character,” the AFP chief added.