Search is on for next military chief

By Ronron
June 12, 2005

The search is on for the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as incumbent military chief Gen. Efren Abu begins to count his last few days in the service prior to his retirement on June 24.

According to Abu, there are 12 three-star generals who are qualified to take over his post but he refused to say which one has the bigger chance.

“If I mention two, the 10 might get angry with me,” Abu told reporters after a fellowship lunch he hosted with members of the Defense Press Corps at Camp Aguinaldo Friday.

The contenders include, among others, Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga, Philippine Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Jose Reyes, Philippine Navy Flag Officer Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon, Northern Luzon Commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Southern Luzon Commander Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Ariston de los Reyes, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, and National Capital Region Commander Lt. Gen. Allan Cabalquinto.

An insider said the strong candidates are Senga and De Leon because of their record of achievements, their seniority as to the acquisition of their third star, and the longer time left for them to serve as AFP chief of staff before they reach their mandatory age of retirement.

Senga, a member of Philippine Military Class (PMA) class of 1972, is set to retire in July 2006 while De Leon, also of the same PMA class, is set to retire in September 2006.

Abu said he still has yet to submit a recommendation to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who serves concurrently as the AFP’s commander-in-chief, as to his choice for his replacement.

“The President has a wide latitude as far as who could be the (next) Chief of Staff…but we have not talked about this yet,” he said.

The outgoing military chief, who rose to the top-most position in October 2004, is expected to brief Arroyo and Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz about each of the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses which would be integral to the President’s decision.

Asked what if Arroyo extends his term, Abu hinted of refusing the offer by saying: “No. Anybody can take over my position. I’m very sure of that.”

AFP Information Officer Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual said Abu will be remembered for instituting reforms in the military, particularly on financial management and organizational structure, “to suit the call of the time.”

Pascual is confident a new chief of staff will be announced before Abu steps down on June 24. “Whoever will be the appointed chief of staff by the President, the Armed Forces will welcome him,” he said./DMS