By Francis Wakefield
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Friday said that incoming Philippine Air Force (PAF) Chief Lt..Gen. Rozzano Briguez will formally assume his new post on December 21, 2018.
Rozzano Briguez (photo courtesy of Communications and Media Affairs - Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa/ Facebook)
In an interview, Lorenzana said no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will be on hand to preside the activity
The turn-over is scheduled at 3 p.m.
Lorenzana said being a very competent officer, President Rodrigo Duterte decided to give Briguez the chance to become the commanding general of PAF vice Lt. Gen. Galileo Gerard Kintanar, Jr..
"Before pa nga lumabas 'yung kanyang relief order (at) replacement, pinag-uusapan na nila 'yun even before," Lorenzana said.
Lorenzana dded that if ever Kintanar decide to eventually retire early from the military service, Malacañang is thinking of offering him a job in government.
Kintanar, it was recalled, is set to retire from the military service in January 2020.
"When he (Kintanar) was relieved from position he has still 13 months to go before compulsory retirement. He has two go up to GHQ or retire. If he retires we are thinking of recommending him to a government job," Lorenzana said.
Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, said there is nothing irregular with the designation of Briguez as the new Commanding General of PAF vice Kintanar.
In a statement, Arevalo said Kintanar was replaced not for any issues of corruption or anomalies as insinuated by some posts in social media.
Arevalo reiterated that the recent change in the PAF leadership is part of the ongoing movement in the top posts in the AFP hierarchy.
“A few days ago, with the retirement of Lieutenant General Rafael Valencia, his post as The Inspector General was filled by Lieutenant General Paul Atal who yielded his post to Major General Noel Clement. That rendered the latter’s post as Commander, 10th Infantry Division vacant. We expect further movements in the top level AFP leadership with the impending retirement of General Carlito Galvez, Jr. as AFP Chief of Staff," Arevalo said.
“As has been announced, Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. replaces him and thereby renders his post as Commander, Eastern Mindanao Command vacant."
“The Board of Generals has convened to deliberate on the movements in the AFP’s top posts," he added.
Arevalo said as a dynamic organization, AFP Officers are accustomed to such movements.
"The end view is to ensure continuity and seamless transitions in command and leadership that bear on accomplishing our 83-year old mandate of protecting the people and securing the state," Arevalo said.
Department of National Defense (DND) Spokesman Arsenio Andolong, clarified that as per Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Kintanar is still in the military service and will be given a new post.
"According to the SND (Secretary of National Defense), he will be given a new position in the AFP," Andolong said.
Briguez is a member of the “Sinagtala” Class of 1986 of the Philippine Military Academy.
Prior to his appointment as chief of Air Force, Briguez also held the position of head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command (AFP-WesCom) in 2017.
Briguez also held previous assignments such as vice commander of the Air Force, chief of air staff of the Air Force, commandant of cadets at the PMA, and assistant chief of air staff for operations at the Air Force.