CA approves promotion of 15 AFP officers

The Commission on Appointment (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of 15 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This, after the CA committee on national defense recommended the approval of the ad interim appointments and nominations of the following officers:

-Bob Apostol to the rank of Brigadier General
-Hubert Acierto to the rank of Brigadier General
-Rosendo Abad Jr. to the rank of Brigadier General
-Raul Tangco to the rank of Brigadier General (Reserve)
-Ronald Jess Alcudia to the rank of Brigadier General
-Joseph Archog to the rank of Brigadier General
-Adonis Ariel Orio to the rank of Major General
-Juario Marayag to the rank of Rear Admiral
-Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta to the rank of Vice Admiral
-Florante Gagua to the rank of Rear Admiral
-Michael Logico to the rank of Brigadier General
-Jose Ambrosio Rustia to the rank of Brigadier General
-Ferdinand Barandon to the rank of Brigadier General
-Joseph Norwin Pasamonte to the rank of Major General
-Alan Javier to the rank of Rear Admiral

During the CA national defense committee hearing, Barandon, the commander of the AFP's Intelligence Command, expressed confidence that there is no destabilization plot within the ranks amid the impeachment moves against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Barandon said "there is nothing to worry about" as far as the AFP is concerned.

"I would like to emphasize, as mentioned by our Chief of Staff—we'll be mission-focused and we will abide by duly constituted authority. As to the retired officers, I think I'm not in the position to talk about what they are thinking or what they would want to do," Barandon said.

"We are confident and again I would like to re-echo the statement of the Chief of Staff as well as senior commanders of the AFP [who] are constantly talking to members of the AFP on matters pertaining to our mission and also our constitutional duty to defend the Constitution as well as the people," he added.

The AFP intelligence chief stressed that military officers are "professionals and mission-oriented" who "follow the chain of command."—LDF, GMA Integrated News