Marcos picks Brawner as next AFP chief; Centino named as presidential adviser on WPS

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has picked Philippine Army commanding general Lieutenant General Romeo Brawner Jr. to be the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This was announced by Malacañang on Wednesday.

Brawner will replace General Andres Centino, who will now serve as Presidential Adviser on West Philippine Sea. Centino is a member of the Philippine Military Academy ''Maringal'' Class of 1988.

Brawner assumed the post of Army chief on December 10, 2021. He belongs to the PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989 and has been serving in the military for 34 years.

Brawner previously served as the Commandant of the Cadets in the PMA "where he played a significant role in the eradication of hazing and maltreatment in the academy," according to the Palace.

Brawner also served as the first Deputy Chief of Staff for Financial Management, J10, in the AFP.

He also became the commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division in which he supervised the unit’s combat operations that resulted in the neutralization of Jorge Madlos or “Ka Oris,” the commander of the National Operations Command of the New People’s Army.

Brawner was also the brigade commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade in the aftermath of the Marawi Siege in 2017. 

Centino first served as AFP chief from November 12, 2021, to August 8, 2022.

Marcos appointed Centino anew as the head of the Armed Forces in January 2023, replacing retired Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro.

Centino's previous assignments include Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3), and Commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade.

Under Republic Act 11709, an AFP chief will get a fixed three-year term. — RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News