By Francis Wakefield
One hundred eighty-three (183) Generals, Flag Officers and Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) took their oath as members of different AFP Selection Boards at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, March 5.
The members were sworn to perform their new appointments before Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Also present in the ceremony were AFP Vice Chief of Staff Major General Salvador Melchor Mison Jr. and AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr.
“This afternoon’s oath-taking ceremony is not only an undertaking to recognize the new members, but also to emphasize the continuous challenge in promoting the administration and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines," Collado said in his opening remarks.
The AFP Selection Board is among the military’s prominent screening bodies that do the tedious and meticulous task of refining the most-deserving members to be atop the organization. The other panels are the AFP Board of Generals and Board of Senior Officers.
The four Selection Boards of the Army are led by Major General Ramiro Rey, Maj. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat, Brigadier General Virgilio Bartolome, and Colonel Eliglen Villaflor.
The two Selection Boards of the Philippine Air Force are headed by Brig. Gen. Glicerio Peralta, and Brig. Gen. Edward Libago while the Philippine Navy Selection Boards are chaired by Brig. Gen Ariel Caculitan, and Commodore Antonio Palces.
On the other hand, the Medical Service Selection Boards are chaired by Col. Joseph Batenga and Col. Felisa Tuliao; the Nurse Corps Selection Boards by Col. Noreta Sison and Col. Luis Carlo Aquino; the Dental Service Selection Boards by Col. Michael Tiu and Lieutenant Colonel Ranulfo Espera; Judge Advocate General Service Selection Board by Col. Gerry Pulohanan; Corps of Professors Selection Board by Col. Claro Unson Jr., and the Chaplain Service Selection Board by Col. Leonides Cruel Jr.
AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Noel Detoyato said the appointment and oath-taking of the Selection Board members are part of the AFP’s longstanding commitment towards fortifying professionalism within the AFP’s ranks.
"This significantly contributes to the organization’s continuous dynamism which is essential in carrying out its mandate more effectively and efficiently," Detoyato said.