32 AFP officers promoted to higher ranks

The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of 32 generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

This was after the endorsement of the CA Committee on National Defense to the plenary, confirming the promotions of the following officers:

1. Dennis Estrella to the rank of Major General

2. Joseph Flores to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army

3. Fernando Reyeg to the rank of Lieutenant General

4. Angelo Guzman to the rank of Colonel, Philippine Army

5. Diosdado Caluya Jr. to the rank of Commodore

6. Vincent Sibala to the rank of Commodore

7. Felipe Bautista to the rank of Commodore

8. Jimmy Larida to the rank of Major General

9. Francisco Tagamolila Jr. to the rank of Rear Admiral

10. Romulus Joseph Canieso to the rank of Brigadier General

11 . Pedro Balisi Jr. to the rank of Major General

12. Ferdinand Marcelino to the rank of Brigadier General  

13. Eric Gachalian to the rank of Brigadier General

14. Joe Anthony Orbe to the rank of Rear Admiral

15. Roy Anthony Derilo to the rank of Brigadier General

16. Darwin Hernandez to the rank of Brigadier General  

17. Constancio Arturo Reyes Jr. to the rank of Commodore

18. Alfonso Torres Jr. to the rank of Vice Admiral

19. Luis Rex Bergante to the rank of Lieutenant General

20. Roy Vincent Trinidad to the rank of Rear Admiral

21. BGen. Leonardo Pena to the rank of Major General

22. Gulliver Senires to the rank of Major General

23. Col. Jesus Jeffrey Grapa, PA to the rank of Brigadier General

24. Col. Jamel Samonte, PA to the rank of Brigadier General

25. Roman Dioso to the rank of Brigadier General

26. Danilo Benavides to the rank of Major General

27. BGen. Francis Anthony Coronel to the rank of Major General

28. Charlemagne Batayola Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General

29. Emilio Orio Jr. to the rank of Commodore

30. RADM. Caesar Bernard Valencia to the rank of Vice Admiral

31. BGen. Thad Rufino Candelario to the rank of Major General

32. Col. Ferdinand Geminic Ramirez, PA to the rank of Brigadier General

During the plenary session, CA member Senator Ronald ''Bato'' dela Rosa acknowledged the unwavering dedication and the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers.

“Batid ko ang sakripisyo ng bawat sundalo. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may kaniya-kaniyang kwento. Ang ka nilang buhay ay may katumbas na panganib, ngunit tapat ang sundalo sa kaniyang tungkulin na ipagtanggol ang ating bayan laban sa banta ng kaguluhan, terorismo at hindi makatarungang panghihimasok ng mga dayuhan,” he said.

(I know the sacrifice of every soldier. Each of them has his own story. Their lives are at risk, but a soldier is faithful in his duty to defend our country against the threat of chaos, terrorism, and unjustified foreign interference.)

Other members of the CA also voiced their support and confidence in the newly promoted officials of the AFP.

Batangas Representative Mario Vittorio Mariño underscored the need for strategic thinking in the military, given that the Philippines is facing a different and challenging situation.

“We are in a different situation now; we need more strategic thinking as far as our times are concerned. And I rely, we rely on these good gentlemen to be the adviser to the president to also be loyal to the people of the republic,” Mariño said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News