President Duterte has appointed Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) chief Lt. Gen. Felimon T. Santos Jr. as next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana dated January 2, President Duterte said he had approved Santos’s appointment effective January 5, 2020.
Santos will replace outgoing AFP chief Gen. Noel Clement after three months in office.
“I wish to inform you that per your letter-endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and chairman, AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act 8196, as amended, the designation of Lieutenant General Felimon T. Santos Junior O-9540 Armed Forces of the Philippines as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice General Noel S. Clement 0-9265 AFP is hereby approved effective January 5, 2020,” read the letter signed by the President, a copy of which was shared to reporters on Thursday.
Prior to his appointment, Santos assumed as the new commander of AFP Eastmincom on January 21, 2019.
Santos has been involved in a wide range of peace and security programs in Mindanao. He was also assigned to strategic military offices dealing with operations, intelligence and civil-military operations.
A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy of 1986, he also spent most of his years with the 39th Infantry Battalion, a unit deployed in various provinces in Mindanao.
He also led the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao City.
He also previously held the positions of chief of operations of Central Command in Visayas; 703rd Infantry Brigade Commander in Central Luzon; Battalion Commander of 63rd Infantry Battalion in Samar province; and Assistant Division Commander of 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Awang Maguindanao.
