MANILA — Military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla was designated Thursday as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Plans (J-5) which is responsible for crafting of plans and doctrines of the military.
Padilla also serves as the incumbent AFP Assistant Deputy Chief-of-Staff for Civil-Military Operations (J-7).
Padilla is a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1985 and also served as the AFP Liaison Officer to the US Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2011 to 2014.
He was born in 1963 and comes from a family of dedicated professional servicemen and government workers.
After his graduation at the PMA, he joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and earned his Aviator (Pilot) Wings from the PAF Flying School in 1987.
As an aviator, he has more than 2,800 flight hours to his credit.
He has flown the following aircraft types: T-41D, SF260M, T-28, B-205A, UH-1H, CH-46, Bell 212 & 412, the Bell 206 Jet Ranger & Long Ranger, and the Robinson R-22 and R-44.
He has earned his ratings as a Flight Commander, Test Pilot (UH-1H/B205A) and as an Instructor Pilot (UH-1H/B205A).
Padilla is a fully qualified Academic Instructor, having completed his Academic Instructor Training at the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, USA.
With a Masters Degree in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management, Padilla is also a recipient of numerous awards and commendations coming from the military and civilian sector and includes the Distinguished Aviation Cross, the highest award for an airman in the Air Force for his superb and gallant airmanship in a rescue and recovery incident.
His various awards also include three Distinguished Service Stars, two Silver Wing Medals, and numerous combat awards. (PNA)