In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

PRRD yet to announce new Army chief: AFP

By Priam Nepomuceno

December 2, 2019, 9:59 am

<p><strong>OUTGOING ARMY CHIEF.</strong> The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) holds a testimonial parade and review for outgoing Army chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, in Baguio City on Sunday (Dec. 1, 2019). Alberto will bow out of the service upon reaching the mandatory military retirement age of 56 on December 6. <em>(Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)</em></p>

OUTGOING ARMY CHIEF. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) holds a testimonial parade and review for outgoing Army chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, in Baguio City on Sunday (Dec. 1, 2019). Alberto will bow out of the service upon reaching the mandatory military retirement age of 56 on December 6. (Photo courtesy of Army Chief Public Affairs Office)

MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has yet to announce the replacement of Philippine Army (PA) chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, who will bow out of the service upon reaching the mandatory military retirement age of 56 on Friday.

"No announcement yet as to who was chosen per President Duterte's exercise of his prerogative to choose who will be his next Commanding General of the Philippine Army," said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a message to reporters on Sunday.

He, however, added that the Board of Generals has forwarded a shortlist of Alberto's possible successors to the Chief Executive through Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

"Three 3-star (generals) and two 2-star (generals) are among the list submitted. All possess the attributes of integrity, competence, experience, command and managerial expertise to command the (PA troops) to protect the people and secure the land," Arevalo said.

The formal announcement of the next PA chief may happen this week, he added.

As this develops, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City has conducted a testimonial parade and review in honor of Alberto Sunday.

The outgoing PA chief is a member of the PMA Class of 1986. Alberto also led the unveiling of the Army Laboratory which will be used by cadets who will be joining the biggest branch of the AFP upon their graduation.

"PMA is where my military career started. PMA helped instill in me the values which helped me to become what I am today. It molded me to be the best that I can be and gave me the right attitude to join the Army," the PA chief said. (PNA)

Comments