Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) is the highest-ranking military officer (except for the President of the Philippines, who holds the position of Commander-in-Chief equivalent to a five-star general) and the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including all service branches (Army, Air Force, NavyMarine Corps) under its command. The position is usually held by a four-star rank of General or Admiral. Its direct equivalent in the US Armed Forces is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Unlike its US counterpart, which is merely supervisory, the Chief of Staff has complete operational control within the military hierarchy and is responsible for the overall operations of the AFP.

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Emblem of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
since July 19, 2023
Reports toSecretary of National Defense
President of the Philippines
ResidenceCamp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines
SeatCamp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City
AppointerThe President
with the consent of the Commission on Appointments
Term length3 years[1]
can be extended with the approval of Congress
Constituting instrumentRepublic Act No. 11939 [1]
FormationDecember 21, 1935
First holderJose de los Reyes
Unofficial namesChairman of the Joint Chiefs
DeputyVice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (assistant)
The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (administrative and organizational duties)
WebsitePhilippine Armed Forces

The holder of this position is appointed by, as well as directly reports to the President of the Philippines under the Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution.[2] He executes the President's commands, tactics, operations, plannings, and strategies, as well as serves as the Immediate Adviser to the Secretary of National Defense. He also prescribes directions to all commands (including the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy, the Commanders of the AFP Unified Commands, and the AFP Board of Generals).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines were created as a result of the Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the National Defense Act of 1935. However, the origin of the organization can be traced back to the establishment of the Philippine Constabulary, armed Filipino forces organized in 1901 by the United States to combat the Philippine Revolutionary Army then led by General Emilio Aguinaldo.

History

edit

The position of the Chief of Staff has been traced from the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, when the Philippine Commonwealth Army (now the Philippine Army) was established as the main army of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. After the defeat of the First Philippine Republic during the Philippine–American War, the United States dissolved the army and relied on its armed forces together with some Filipino troops under the Philippine Constabulary. However, the National Defense Act of 1935 led to take on responsibilities on national defense and pave way for the creation of three major commands (Army, Air Force, Navy). Since the 1960s, the rosters of the Chiefs of Staff is arranged accordingly.[3]

On June 19, 2020, under the DND Order no. 174, the title of Chief of Staff was renamed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, while the Vice-Chief of Staff as vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and The Deputy Chief of Staff as Chief of the Joint Staff.[4] Although the usage of these titles were deferred.[5][citation needed]

Organization and term limit

edit

The AFP Chief of Staff is assisted by the Vice-Chief of Staff of the AFP (VCSAFP) and The Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP (TDCSAFP), both holders of the rank of Lieutenant General/Vice Admiral. The Vice-Chief of Staff serves as the primary assistant of the AFP Chief of Staff in their operational duties, as well as in policy conceptualization and implementation matters in the AFP, and also assists the AFP Chief of Staff in their absence. The Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) is tasked to supervise the organizational staff, including the Joint Staff, the Special Staff, the Administrative and the Technical Staff. The Deputy Chief of Staff is also responsible for assisting the AFP's overall policy and strategy formations, and perform other duties assigned by the AFP Chief of Staff. These posts are also assisted by the Secretary Joint Staff (SJS), who serves as the executive officer for the AFP Chief of Staff, the Vice-Chief of Staff, and The Deputy Chief of Staff.[6] The AFP Chief of Staff is also advised on enlisted personnel matters by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Sergeant Major (AFPSM).

The AFP Chief of Staff has no definite or fixed term limit, under Republic Act No. 8186,[7][8] as the term limit of the AFP Chief of Staff, along with all uniformed members of the AFP, has a mandatory retirement age at 56 years old. Nevertheless, the AFP Chief of Staff's term can be extended and allows a flexible term while serving beyond the mandatory retirement age, as the AFP Chief of Staff can serve their post until 3 years. Plans to reform the current system were made in 2011, but was vetoed by then-President Benigno Aquino III. An updated bill is currently being crafted since 2020, which aims to create a fixed term of 3 years for the AFP Chief of Staff, the Vice-Chief of Staff, The Deputy Chief of Staff, the commanders of the three major services (Army, Navy, Air Force), the commanders of the unified commands (NOLCOM, SOLCOM, WESCOM, VISCOM, WESTMINCOM, EASTMINCOM), the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, the commander of the AFP Special Operations Command, and the commander of the upcoming Cyber Security Command; while the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will have a 4-year term in their post, and will not be allowed to be reappointed in other higher posts. The bill also allows the president to remove the sitting AFP chief of staff at his/her pleasure within their 3-year term. Once passed and enacted into law, the new law aims to increase the flexibility, organizational professionalism and effectiveness in their respective roles.[9][10] On May 16, 2022, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act No. 11709, which serves as the new law that enables a three-year fixed term for key officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Chief of Staff of the AFP.[11]

Fixed-term issues under R.A. No. 11709

edit

Months after the signing of the new term law, reports were being made on the possible rumbling in the AFP Hierarchy due to the complications caused by the Republic Act No. 11709 from the promotions of younger officers and to the reduction of promoted officers within the senior officers rank (Major-Colonel/Lieutenant Commander-Captain) due to the reduced tenure limits, which caused anxiety regarding the lowering of a merit-based promotion system.[12] The issue also got more friction from an editorial article written by former AFP spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo PN(M) (Ret.) in The Manila Times named "The fates of two AFP chiefs of staff", which tackles about the appointment of Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro as AFP Chief, who is retiring earlier than his predecessor General Andres Centino, which makes Centino's position more higher than Bacarro's. [13][14][15] Due to these problems, a revised law was crafted to solve the problems, which led to the ratification of Republic Act no. 11939, which was signed by President Bongbong Marcos on May 17, 2023. [1] Under the new law, the reduced number of officials who will have a fixed term to only five, namely the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (three-year tenure); the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, the Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, the Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy (two-year tenure) and the Superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (four-year tenure).[1] The law also allows their fixed terms to be completely terminated upon the President's pleasure. Amidst the swirling rumors on the potential replacement of the AFP chief regarding the seniority problem, the issues within the top brass was resolved on January 7, 2023, as General Andres Centino was reappointed as the AFP Chief replacing Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro.[16]

Officeholders

edit
No. Portrait Chief of Staff Took office Left office Time in office Service branch Ref.
-Reyes, Jose de losBrigadier General
Jose Delos Reyes
(1874–1945)
Acting
January 11, 1936May 4, 1936114 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
1Santos, PaulinoMajor General
Paulino Santos
(1890–1945)
May 4, 1936December 31, 19382 years, 241 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
2Valdez, BasilioMajor General
Basilio Valdes
(1912–1970)
January 1, 1939November 7, 19456 years, 310 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
3Jalandoni, RafaelMajor General
Rafael Jalandoni
(1894–1949)
December 21, 1945December 20, 19482 years, 365 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
4Castañeda, MarianoMajor General
Mariano Castañeda
(1905–1970)
December 21, 1948May 28, 19512 years, 158 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
5Duque, CalixtoMajor General
Calixto Duque
(1893–1972)
June 2, 1951December 30, 19532 years, 211 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
6Vargas, JesusLieutenant General
Jesus Vargas
(1905–1994)
December 30, 1953December 29, 19562 years, 365 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
7Arellano, AlfonsoLieutenant General
Alfonso Arellano
(1905–1957)
December 29, 1956December 31, 19582 years, 2 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
8Cabal, ManuelLieutenant General
Manuel Cabal
January 1, 1959December 30, 19612 years, 363 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
9Cruz, PelagioLieutenant General
Pelagio Cruz
(1912–1986)
December 31, 1961August 31, 1962243 days 
Philippine Air Force
[17]
10Santos, AlfredoGeneral
Alfredo Santos
(1905–1990)
[a]
September 1, 1962July 12, 19652 years, 314 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
11Atienza, RigobertoGeneral
Rigoberto Atienza
(1911–1966)
July 13, 1965January 22, 1966193 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
12Mata, ErnestoGeneral
Ernesto Mata
(1915–2012)
[b]
January 22, 1966January 21, 1967364 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
13Osias, VictorGeneral
Victor Osias
January 21, 1967August 15, 1967206 days 
Philippine Air Force
[17]
14Velasco, SegundoGeneral
Segundo Velasco
(born 1918)
August 16, 1967May 27, 1968285 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
15Yan, ManuelGeneral
Manuel T. Yan
(1920–2008)
[c]
May 28, 1968January 15, 19723 years, 232 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
16Espino, RomeoGeneral
Romeo Espino
(1914–2003)
[d]
January 15, 1972August 15, 19819 years, 212 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
17Ver, FabianGeneral
Fabian Ver
(1920–1998)
[e]
August 15, 1981October 24, 19843 years, 70 days
85 days
 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
-Ramos, FidelLieutenant General
Fidel Ramos
(1928–2022)
Acting
[f]
October 24, 1984December 2, 19851 year, 39 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
(17)Ver, FabianGeneral
Fabian Ver
(1920–1998)
[g]
December 2, 1985February 25, 198685 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
18Ramos, FidelGeneral
Fidel Ramos
(1928–2022)
[h]
February 25, 1986January 25, 19881 year, 334 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
19de Villa, RenatoGeneral
Renato de Villa
(1935–2006)
[i]
January 25, 1988January 23, 19912 years, 363 days 
Philippine Constabulary
[17]
20Biazon, RodolfoGeneral
Rodolfo Biazon
(1935–2023)
[j]
January 24, 1991April 12, 199178 days 
Philippine Marine Corps
[17]
21Abadia, LisandroGeneral
Lisandro Abadia
(1938–2022)
April 12, 1991April 12, 19943 years, 0 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
22Enrile, ArturoGeneral
Arturo Enrile
(1940–1998)
[k]
April 12, 1994November 28, 19962 years, 230 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
23Acedera, ArnulfoGeneral
Arnulfo Acedera Jr.
(1941–2020)
November 28, 1996December 31, 19971 year, 33 days 
Philippine Air Force
[17]
24Mariano, ClementeGeneral
Clemente Mariano
January 1, 1998July 1, 1998181 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
25Nazareno, JoselinGeneral
Joselin Nazareno
[l]
July 1, 1998July 8, 19991 year, 7 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
26Reyes, AngeloGeneral
Angelo Reyes
(1945–2011)
[m]
July 8, 1999March 17, 20011 year, 252 days 
Philippine Army
[17]
27Villanueva, DiomedioGeneral
Diomedio Villanueva
(1945–2023)
March 17, 2001May 18, 20021 year, 62 days 
Philippine Army
[18]
28Cimatu, RoyGeneral
Roy Cimatu
(born 1946)
[n]
May 18, 2002September 10, 2002115 days 
Philippine Army
[19][20]
29Defensor, Benjamin Jr.General
Benjamin Defensor Jr.
September 10, 2002November 28, 200279 days 
Philippine Air Force
[21]
30Santiago, DionisioGeneral
Dionisio Santiago
[o]
November 28, 2002April 8, 2003131 days 
Philippine Army
[22][23]
31Abaya, NarcisoGeneral
Narciso Abaya
(born 1950)
April 8, 2003October 29, 20041 year, 204 days 
Philippine Army
[24]
32Abu, EfrenGeneral
Efren Abu
October 29, 2004August 15, 2005290 days 
Philippine Army
[25][26]
33Senga, GenerosoGeneral
Generoso Senga
August 15, 2005July 22, 2006341 days 
Philippine Army
[27]
34Esperon, Hermogenes Jr.General
Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
(born 1952)
[p]
July 22, 2006May 12, 20081 year, 295 days 
Philippine Army
[28][29]
35Yano, AlexanderGeneral
Alexander Yano
[q]
May 12, 2008May 1, 2009354 days 
Philippine Army
[30]
36Ibrado, VictorGeneral
Victor Ibrado
May 1, 2009March 10, 2010313 days 
Philippine Army
[31]
37Bangit, DelfinGeneral
Delfin Bangit
(1955–2013)
March 10, 2010June 22, 2010104 days 
Philippine Army
[32]
Ochoa, NestorLieutenant General
Nestor Ochoa
Acting
June 22, 2010June 30, 20108 days 
Philippine Army
[33]
38David, Ricardo Jr.General
Ricardo David
(born 1955)
[r]
July 2, 2010March 7, 2011248 days 
Philippine Army
[34]
39Oban, Eduardo Jr.General
Eduardo Oban Jr.
(born 1955)
March 7, 2011December 12, 2011280 days 
Philippine Air Force
[35]
40Dellosa, JessieGeneral
Jessie Dellosa
(born 1957)
December 12, 2011January 20, 20131 year, 39 days 
Philippine Army
[36]
41Bautista, EmmanuelGeneral
Emmanuel Bautista
(born 1958)
January 20, 2013July 18, 20141 year, 179 days 
Philippine Army
[37]
42Catapang, Gregorio PioGeneral
Gregorio Pio Catapang
(born 1959)
[s]
July 18, 2014July 10, 2015357 days 
Philippine Army
[38]
43Catapang, Gregorio PioGeneral
Hernando Iriberri
(born 1960)
July 10, 2015April 22, 2016287 days 
Philippine Army
[39][40]
Miranda, GloriosoLieutenant General
Glorioso Miranda
(born 1961)
Acting
April 22, 2016June 30, 201669 days 
Philippine Army
[41]
44Visaya, RicardoGeneral
Ricardo Visaya
(born 1960)
[t]
July 1, 2016December 7, 2016159 days 
Philippine Army
[43]
45Año, EduardoGeneral
Eduardo Año
(born 1961)
[u]
December 7, 2016October 26, 2017323 days 
Philippine Army
[40]
46Guerrero, Rey LeonardoGeneral
Rey Leonardo Guerrero
(born 1961)
[v]
October 26, 2017April 18, 2018174 days 
Philippine Army
[44]
47Galvez, Carlito, Jr.General
Carlito Galvez Jr.
(born 1962)
[w]
April 18, 2018December 11, 2018237 days 
Philippine Army
[45]
48Madrigal, Benjamin, Jr.General
Benjamin Madrigal Jr.
(born 1963)
[x]
December 11, 2018September 24, 2019287 days 
Philippine Army
[46]
49Clement, NoelGeneral
Noel Clement
(born 1964)
September 24, 2019January 4, 2020102 days 
Philippine Army
[47]
50Santos, FelimonGeneral
Felimon Santos Jr.
(born 1964)
January 4, 2020August 3, 2020212 days 
Philippine Army
[48]
51Gapay, GilbertGeneral
Gilbert Gapay
(born 1965)
August 3, 2020February 4, 2021185 days 
Philippine Army
[49]
52Sobejana, CirilitoGeneral
Cirilito Sobejana
(born 1965)
February 4, 2021July 31, 2021177 days 
Philippine Army
[50]
53Faustino, Jose Jr.General
Jose Faustino Jr.
(born 1965)
[y]
July 31, 2021November 12, 2021104 days 
Philippine Army
[51]
54Centino, AndresGeneral
Andres Centino
(born 1967)
November 12, 2021August 8, 2022269 days 
Philippine Army
[52]
55Bacarro, Bartolome Vicente O.Lieutenant General
Bartolome Vicente Bacarro
(born 1966)
August 8, 2022January 6, 2023151 days 
Philippine Army
[53]
56Centino, AndresGeneral
Andres Centino
(born 1967)
January 6, 2023July 21, 2023196 days 
Philippine Army
[54]
57Brawner, Romeo Jr.General
Romeo Brawner Jr.
(born 1968)
July 21, 2023Incumbent1 year, 128 days 
Philippine Army
[55][56]

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ First officer to hold full General rank.
  2. ^ Recalled by President Marcos from retirement and appointed as Chief of Staff.
  3. ^ Yan served as the youngest chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the age of 48. Prior to that, he was the chief of the Philippine Constabulary. He currently holds the record for longest continuous government service from 1937– 2001 or 64 years of service.
  4. ^ Espino served as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army before appointed to become the top military man. Espino is the longest-serving Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for nine years, especially during the martial law regime. A second product of the ROTC. During his term, he was fair in administering the military, unlike his successor, General Fabian Ver.
  5. ^ Ver was considered a loyalist and the second most powerful man in the country next to President Ferdinand Marcos in the later years of his authoritarian regime, replacing then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who held the status since 1972 when Marcos named him as martial law administrator upon the imposition of martial law. Ver, in fact, was the most powerful military officer at that time for, aside from being the top military man, he was also the commander of the Presidential Security Command and the director-general of NISA, the Marcos regime's secret police. The third military officer appointed as chief of staff that came from ROTC. During his term, he was known for his favoritism especially in the promotion of officers & was linked to the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., the biggest critique of the Marcos regime.
  6. ^ Ramos served in acting capacity while General Ver was temporary relieved due to ongoing investigation of Aquino's assassination.
  7. ^ Ver was considered a loyalist and the second most powerful man in the country next to President Ferdinand Marcos in the later years of his authoritarian regime, replacing then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, who held the status since 1972 when Marcos named him as martial law administrator upon the imposition of martial law. Ver, in fact, was the most powerful military officer at that time for, aside from being the top military man, he was also the commander of the Presidential Security Command and the director-general of NISA, the Marcos regime's secret police. The third military officer appointed as chief of staff that came from ROTC. During his term, he was known for his favoritism especially in the promotion of officers & was linked to the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., the biggest critique of the Marcos regime.
  8. ^ Ramos then, before becoming the chief of the now defunct Philippine Constabulary in 1972, he was the commander of Philippine Army's 3rd Division in Cebu. On the 1980s he was promoted into vice-chief of staff with the rank of lieutenant general but remained as PC chief. After the EDSA revolt that ousted Marcos his cousin from power, he became the AFP chief. Later after retiring as AFP chief of staff during the term of President Corazon C. Aquino, he served as Secretary of National Defense and was elected the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines in 1992 and served until 1998, the year which the country celebrated its centennial anniversary of the declaration of Independence, earning him the nickname of "Centennial President". He is the 2nd Army General who became the President of the Republic after Gen. Aguinaldo but he was the first & only career military officer to hold a rank of five-star general/admiral de jure rising from second lieutenant up to commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
  9. ^ Prior to becoming chief of staff, in 1986, de Villa was named to be the chief of the Philippine Constabulary (now defunct), then an AFP major service acting as the country's police force while he was also named to be AFP vice-chief of staff with the rank of three-star general. Upon retirement, de Villa served as Secretary of National Defense when he retired in 1991 and ran for president but lost to Joseph Estrada and Executive Secretary under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
  10. ^ Biazon served in the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives after his retirement as AFP chief of staff in 1991. He is the first and only Chief of Staff from the PMC. Prior to that, he served as the commander of the AFP NCR Defense Command in 1988 and Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps in 1987. He had also served as the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy in 1986.
  11. ^ Enrile later served as Secretary of the DOTC under President Fidel Ramos.
  12. ^ Later served as Ambassador to Pakistan.
  13. ^ Reyes later served as Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of DILG, Secretary of DENR, and Secretary of DOE under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
  14. ^ Cimatu later served as Special Envoy to the Middle East. Cimatu served as the Secretary of the DENR under President Rodrigo Duterte.
  15. ^ Later served as the director-general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
  16. ^ Esperon later served as Presidential Adviser on Peace Process under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo & later served as National Security Adviser under President Rodrigo Duterte.
  17. ^ Yano later served as our country's Ambassador to Brunei.
  18. ^ David later served as Bureau of Immigration Commissioner under President Benigno Aquino III.
  19. ^ Later served as Bases Conversion Development Agency Board Member and as Officer-In-Charge Director-general of the Bureau of Corrections under President Bongbong Marcos.
  20. ^ Later served as the Administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) under President Rodrigo Duterte.[42]
  21. ^ Later served as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under President Rodrigo Duterte.
  22. ^ Later served as the Administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and later as Commissioner of the Bureau of Customs under President Rodrigo Duterte
  23. ^ Later served as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process & later as the Vaccine Czar during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
  24. ^ Madrigal later served as a member of the governing board of the Philippine Coconut Authority.
  25. ^ later served as the Officer-In-Charge Secretary of the Department of National Defense under President Bongbong Marcos

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Republic Act No. 11939 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. May 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE VII | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  3. ^ "Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines". Official Gazette. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  4. ^ Mangosing, Frances (July 13, 2020). "PH military adopting new titles: Chief of staff now Joint Chiefs Chair". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  5. ^ "MaxDefense received confirmation that AFP has deferred the use of the new designation names, President has not yet approved the use of these". July 26, 2020.{{dead link}date=May 2022}}
  6. ^ "AFP Vice Chief of Staff Collado retires". Manila Bulletin.
  7. ^ Macas, Trisha (December 7, 2017). "Duterte extends AFP chief Guerrero's term". GMA News Online. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  8. ^ "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8186". Chan Robles. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  9. ^ "Senate panel tackles fixed term for AFP chief, other top officers". Rappler. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  10. ^ Lalu, Gabriel Pabico (August 26, 2020). "Gordon wants fixed terms, higher mandatory retirement age for AFP officials". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "PRRD signs law fixing term of AFP chief, other senior officers". www.pna.gov.ph.
  12. ^ Mangosing, Frances (December 1, 2022). "Lawmakers taking AFP pulse about new law on tenure". INQUIRER.net.
  13. ^ Arevalo (Ret.), Maj Gen Edgard A. (November 27, 2022). "The fates of two AFP chiefs of staff". The Manila Times.
  14. ^ Villanueva, Marichu A. "Amend RA 11709". Philstar.com.
  15. ^ Fernandez, Daniza (February 7, 2023). "Grumblings in AFP must end: Senate bill proposes 5 changes to unpopular 3-year rule". INQUIRER.net.
  16. ^ "AFP welcomes General Centino as 59th Chief of Staff, bids farewell to Lieutenant General Bacarro". PIA. January 7, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on January 30, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  18. ^ "Changes in AFP bared". The Philippine Star. March 29, 2001. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022. More changes in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership took place yesterday following the assumption of Gen. Diomedio Villanueva as chief of staff of the 113,000-strong Armed Forces last March 17.
  19. ^ "Speech of President Arroyo during the AFP Turnover of Command". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. May 18, 2002. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  20. ^ Villanueva, Marichu; Calica, Aurea; Unson, John; Romero, Paolo (May 9, 2002). "Solcom chief to head Southcom". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  21. ^ Romero, Paolo; Pareño, Roel (September 10, 2002). "Defensor assumes top AFP post today". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  22. ^ "The President's Day: November 28, 2002". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. November 28, 2002. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022. The President handed over the saber of command of the AFP from outgoing Gen. Benjamin Defensor, whom she called the Poet General, to General Dionisio R. Santiago, whom she described as the Chuck Norris of the Delta Force, during ceremonies held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, this morning.
  23. ^ "Speech of President Arroyo during the AFP Change of Command Ceremony". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. November 28, 2002. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  24. ^ Villanueva, Marichu (March 30, 2003). "New Southcom chief named". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022. Abaya assumes the leadership of the AFP on April 8, the birthday of incumbent AFP chief Gen. Dionisio Santiago, who turns 56, the mandatory retirement age.
  25. ^ "Speech of President Arroyo during the AFP Change of Command Ceremony". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. October 29, 2004. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  26. ^ "Abu is new AFP chief". The Manila Times. October 20, 2004. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  27. ^ Felipe, Cecille Suerte (August 15, 2005). "Senga takes over as AFP chief today". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  28. ^ Jacinto, Al (July 13, 2006). "Philippine General Tainted With Election Scandal Appointed AFP Chief". Arab News. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  29. ^ Whiteside, Darren (July 21, 2006). "Philippine armed forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon waves before his handover ceremony in Manila July 21, 2006. [General Esperon vowed on Friday to defeat "terrorist communists" that are active across the country, threatening the security and investment climate.] Stock Photo - Alamy". Alamy. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  30. ^ Mananghaya, James (May 12, 2008). "Yano takes over as 38th AFP chief". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  31. ^ "New AFP chief seeks LGUs' help in licking insurgency". GMA News Online. May 1, 2009. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  32. ^ Beltran, Jill (March 11, 2010). "Bangit is new AFP chief". SunStar. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  33. ^ "Philippine military chief quits". Taiwan News. Associated Press. June 22, 2010. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022. Bangit had been due to retire in July next year. He was replaced Tuesday by his deputy, Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa.
  34. ^ Carcamo, Dennis (July 4, 2010). "David is new AFP chief of staff". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  35. ^ Porcalla, Delon (March 7, 2011). "Noy names Oban 42nd Armed Forces chief". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  36. ^ Booc, Ria Mae Y. (December 12, 2011). "Dellosa is new AFP chief of staff". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  37. ^ "Profile: Lieutenant General Emmanuel T. Bautista, AFP Chief of Staff". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. January 17, 2013. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  38. ^ Dizon, Nikko (July 17, 2014). "Climate change buff is new AFP chief of staff". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  39. ^ "Hernando Iriberri is new AFP chief". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 10, 2015. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  40. ^ a b Fonbuena, Carmela (December 7, 2016). "Rebel hunter Año is new AFP chief". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 7, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  41. ^ "Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda replaces Iriberri as acting AFP chief". CNN Philippines. April 23, 2016. Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  42. ^ Gita, Ruth Abbey (July 1, 2016). "Duterte leads AFP change of command rites". SunStar. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  43. ^ Santos, Eimor P. (July 1, 2016). "New AFP Chief vows 'unrelenting' ops vs. Abu Sayyaf, terror groups". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  44. ^ "Hello, goodbye, General Guerrero". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 7, 2017. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
  45. ^ Kabiling, Genalyn (April 18, 2018). "Duterte counts on military under Galvez' leadership". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  46. ^ "Benjamin Madrigal is next AFP Chief". CNN Philippines. December 6, 2018. Archived from the original on December 8, 2018. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  47. ^ Sadongdong, Martin (September 24, 2019). "Clement takes post as 52nd AFP Chief". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  48. ^ "New AFP Chief formally assumes command". CNN Philippines. January 4, 2020. Archived from the original on January 4, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  49. ^ Sadongdong, Martin (August 3, 2020). "Gapay takes oath as 54th AFP chief of staff today". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  50. ^ Federez, Maris (August 1, 2021). "Sobejana bows out of military service; Faustino assumes post". UNTV News and Rescue. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  51. ^ Romero, Alexis; Punongbayan, Michael (July 31, 2021). "Former Army chief heads AFP". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  52. ^ "Army commander Andres Centino is new AFP chief". CNN Philippines. November 12, 2021. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  53. ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (August 8, 2022). "Bacarro assumes post as AFP chief-of-staff". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  54. ^ Pinlac, Beatrice (January 6, 2023). "Centino returns as AFP chief of staff". INQUIRER.net.
  55. ^ Emmanuel Tupas, Alexis Romero (July 20, 2023). "Marcos appoints Brawner as AFP chief". The Philippine Star.
  56. ^ Nepomuceno, Priam; Gita-Carlos, Ruth Abbey. "Recalibrate AFP's internal security ops: PBBM to Brawner". Philippine News Agency.
edit