AFP chief Santos promoted to 4-star rank

FILE: Newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. delivers a speech in his first flag-raising ceremony as AFP chief at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday (Jan 6, 2020). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — New Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. on Monday received his fourth star when he was promoted to the rank of General, the highest post in the Philippine military.

Santos’ fourth star was donned by the Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana during short ceremonies at the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Present were his family and senior military officers led by AFP vice chief-of-staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr.

Santos’ ad interim appointment was approved by President Rodrigo Duterte effective January 14.

He took over as 53rd AFP chief on January 4 replacing General Noel Clement who retired from the service after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Santos is a member of the Philippine Military Academy 1986 while his predecessor was a member of PMA Class of 1985.

Military honors at the General Headquarters Canopy was accorded to the newly-promoted general after the donning ceremony.