The Daily Manila Shimbun

 

AFP welcomes appointment of Gapay as new Army chief

December 4, 2019



The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomes the appointment of Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay as the next Army chief.

"The AFP welcomes the selection of Lieutenant General Gilbert I Gapay as the 61st Commanding General of the Philippine Army," said Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesman, Wednesday.

"In a letter addressed to the Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, President and Commander-in-Chief Rodrigo Duterte announces his approval of the recommendation of General Gapay as the next Army Chief," he added.

Gapay is set to replace Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto who will reached his mandatory retirement age of 56 during the retirement and change of command ceremony on December 6.

In a statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) also welcomes the appointment of Gapay.

"The Department of National Defense welcomes the appointment of Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army," Dir. Arsenio Andolong, DND spokesman said.

"Prior to appointment as the Army chief, Lt. Gen. Gapay headed the Southern Luzon Command, primarily tasked with anti-insurgency operations," he added.

Arevalo said "Gapay is highly revered and emulated having rose through the military hierarchy after graduating Number 1 in the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986."

"He (Gapay) is a well-rounded General Officer who has excelled in the domains of Operations, Training,  and Resource Management," he said.

"He (Gapay) has served with distinction various sensitive positions in both garrison and field assignments at the Philippine Army and the General Headquarters," he added.

Arevalo emphasized that Gapay "possesses both the expertise and experience in command, leadership, and management which are essential to leading the biggest branch of service of the AFP—the Philippine Army."  Robina Asido/DMS