Military spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo (PNA File Photo)
MANILA -- The names of possible replacements for outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. have already been forwarded to the office of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, military spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Sunday.
Arevalo said the names of Madrigal's possible successor have been gathered by the Board of Generals.
"I don't know the exact date on when the list was submitted to the Office of the President but I'm sure that it is already there," he said in Filipino during an interview with reporters.
Arevalo said the list contains the names of "between seven or eight" three-star generals still in active service.
The AFP spokesperson also stressed that those in the list have "proven competence, integrity and managerial and leadership acumen".
"The next (AFP) chief-of-staff is expected to continue the programs and the operational thrusts of the current leadership, especially pursuing the guidance of President Duterte to finish insurgency within his term so as you know he has less than three years to complete that. So he is expected to be able to continue (with our) operational gains, and the same time implement adjustments in the plan in order for us to defeat decisively (the) New People's Army," he pointed out.
Arevalo further said the change-of-command ceremony for Madrigal's successor is on September 24 as arranged between the AFP and the Office of the President.
Madrigal will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 this coming September 28.
Earlier, the outgoing AFP chief said it is not for him to recommend any successor as it is the prerogative of the Chief Executive to select his successor.
Madrigal took over the helm of the AFP on December 11, 2018 replacing then AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Carlito Galvez who bowed down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. He is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985. (PNA)
