Santos to continue AFP mission vs ”lawless elements, insurgence and terrorism”

January 2, 2020

Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., the incoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, said Thursday he will continue pursuing the military's mission against ''lawless elements, insurgence and terrorism.''

Santos, who heads the Eastern Mindanao Command, was named AFP chief of staff by President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday morning. He will replace General Noel Clement, who became AFP chief in September 2019, on January 5. 

"Upon my assumption, the AFP will continue to do its mission. Actually, AFP will continue its campaign...the campaign against lawless elements, insurgence, and terrorism,"  said Santos in an interview on ANC.

Santos added that the AFP will also continue to focus on peace talks and in ending local armed conflicts.

In a statement, AFP spokesman Brig, Gen, Edgard Arevalo said:

''Despite being  low-key and easy to get-along with... Lieutenant General Santos, Jr. commands high respect and admiration of his superiors, peers, and subordinates owing to his impeccable record in his more than 37 years of consequential service in the AFP and the Republic. ''

Arevalo said the 55-year-old Santos, who was born in San Rafael, Bulacan assumes command when the AFP enjoys a high approval rating and the campaign to end local communist armed conflict is in full swing.

''He is expected to pursue the drive to neutralize the remaining local terrorist groups in Sulu, Basilan, and Central Mindanao and carry on the implementation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao which is now in its incipient stage,'' added Arevalo.

Santos once headed the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao City and subsequently became the Group Commander of Intelligence Service Group, Philippine Army, said Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the Eastern Mindanao Command. Cristina Eloisa Baclig-Robina Asido/DMS