Davao City-based commander named next AFP chief, sources say

President Rodrigo Duterte has picked  Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. as the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, dzBB's Tuesday Niu reported on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday, citing Palace sources.

JUST IN: Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., dating commander ng Eastern Mindanao Command, itinalaga bilang bagong Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff. | via @mamutuesday pic.twitter.com/LmplAz1Kp6

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 5, 2018

Madrigal, commander of the AFP's Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, will replace General Carlito Galvez Jr., who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on December 12.

But presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana have yet to confirm Madrigal's appointment.

However, Lorenzana admitted that Madrigal "is a front runner" among the candidates for the next AFP chief. — KBK/RSJ, GMA News