Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay will formally assume today the post of chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as General Felimon Santos Jr. officially retires from the service in twin ceremonies that will not be having the Commander in Chief as the presiding officer and principal guest speaker.
Traditionally, the installation and assumption of office of the military’s chief of staff and the retirement of his predecessor are presided over and graced by the President. This will be the first time in years that both rites will not be administered “and even physically skipped” by the country’s highest official.
Gapay, member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, will succeed the officially retiring Santos. Santos will also leave his post on Monday, just move one day short of reaching 56, the mandatory retirement age for members of the military and the police.
The assumption and retirement ceremonies will be held at the Tejeros Hall of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club (AFPCOC) and not at the grandstand of Camp Aguinaldo; thus, the traditional parade and review for the twin events will not also be happening.
Military Spokesman Major General Edgard A. Arevalo said the information he got from the secretary of the joint staff was that President Duterte has a “prior commitment,” and this is the reason he “could not personally attend the ceremonies; but we’re not sure yet.”
“But he may be sending his message, virtual message…although he may not be present. But that is not still confirmed,” Arevalo said.
But the military spokesman said it is “definite” that National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana will preside during the turnover and retirement ceremonies, which will start with the traditional arrival honors for the incoming chief of staff.
“That will be done in front of the Lapu-Lapu grandstand, after which the remaining two parts’ the second part will be the change of command ceremony and the third and final part will be the retirement ceremony for our outgoing chief of staff will take place at the Tejeros Hall,” Arevalo said.
While the ceremonies would be held at the enclosed hall, Arevalo assured that the strict protocols for Covid-19 would be observed; thus only a number of people, mostly the important guests, would be allowed inside area.
Other representatives, including from other units of the military, would just watch via streaming video the ceremonies at the grandstand.
“Notwithstanding our observance of physical distancing because of the pandemic, it will not dampen the spirit, the solemnity of the event because this is no less than the highest position in the AFP that will be having a change of command,” Arevalo said.
“At the same time, it is also the occasion where we will be according retirement honors for our 53rd outgoing chief of staff who is General Felimon Santos Jr.,” he added.
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