CA confirms Faustino’s appointment as new AFP chief

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr.’s appointment as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The bicameral panel likewise approved the promotions of 40 senior military officers, including the appointment of Major General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro as the new Southern Luzon Command (SolCom) chief.

During the CA’s national defense committee hearing, Faustino was asked about Bacarro’s liability in the death of Philippine Military Academy 4th class cadet Darwin Dormitorio’s death due too hazing based on the principle of the chain of command.

To recall, the confirmation of Bacarro’s appointment was deferred by the CA due to the opposition made by Dormitorio’s family.

Bacarro was the commandant of cadets in the PMA during the hazing incident involving Dormitorio.

According to Faustino, they are looking at the actions taken by the tactical officer who directly supervises after the incident has happened.

“What we are looking at the actions right of the tactical officer after the incident happened kung tinolerate ba niya to sir or tinago, or inimbestigahan (if he tolerated, hid, or investigated this),” Faustino said, answering Senator Panfilo Lacson’s query.

Lacson affirmed Faustino’s answer.

“He did take appropriate actions after the incident occurred. If he did not take any action on such incident, then he could be liable under the principle of chain of command, but if he took action or even for example, the tactical officer directly in charge of the company where the cadets involved belong, as long as he took action immediately, he could not be held liable under the chain of command,” Lacson pointed out.

The lawmaker also noted that Bacarro had taken actions even before he resigned from his post in the PMA.

Apart from Faustino and Bacarro, the bicameral commission likewise approved the nomination of Philippine Army Chief of Staff Brigadier General Roberto Capulong to the rank of Major General.

The nomination of Colonel George Joel Lalaquil to Brigadier General; Brigadier General Peter Angelo Ramos to Major General and Navy Captain Juan Ilagan to Commodore were all confirmed by the CA.

Moreover, the lawmakers have swiftly approved the promotions of Philippine Navy Flag Officer-in-Command, Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado as well as Brigadier General Robert Velasco, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte and Brigadier General Augusto Gaite.

Three Philippine Navy Captains, Capt. Tirso Chavez, Capt. Jude Joseph Sumpay, Capt. Marlon Roy Roa, were also confirmed by the CA, as well as the promotion of Marine Col. Ronald Virtudazo.

The CA also confirmed the promotions of the military officers from the following divisions:

-Col Rene Tambago from the Chaplain Service.

-Col Perpetuo Tan Jr from the Veterinary Corps

-Col Jesus Francisco Torbela from the Corps of Professors

The following Army officers’ promotion to the rank of Colonel were also confirmed by the CA:

·         Col Franklin Fabic

·         Col Alfonso Matias Jr

·         Col Ronald Illana

·         Col Angelo Lutera

·         Col Ferdinand Rondina

·         Col Jose Ramer Megio Sr

·         Col Rex Banjo Bumanglag

·         Col Glenn Loreto Caballero

·         Col Roberto Breboneria

·         Col Ramir Redosendo

·         Col Elmer Jay Anibigno II

·         Col Julius Pamittan

·         Col Sisenando Magbalot

·         Col Leo Bongosia

·         Col Ricnon Carolasan

·         Col Wilfredo Amoma

·         Col Edmond Abella

·         Col Manuel Leo Gador

·         Col Freddie Europa

·         Col Benjamin Dao-On

·         Col Francisco Molina Jr

·         Col Edgar Allan Villanueva

·         Col Omar Orozco

·         Col Alaric Avelino Delos Santos

—LDF, GMA News