The Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) Inspector General and the AFP Spokesperson have been promoted to the next higher rank in a ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.
General Felimon Santos Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, administered the donning of new ranks of now Lieutenant General Franco Nemecio Gacal, AFP Inspector General; and now Major General Edgard Arevalo, AFP spokesperson.
Santos said Gacal's "impressive" service record in various operational assignments will "certainly have a significant impact" in his current post especially amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
"I am confident that he shall continue to institute innovations particularly in the conduct of annual general inspections on various major AFP units amidst the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.
Prior to his current post, Gacal was the former commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Eastern Mindanao. He also served as commander of the 402nd Infantry “Stinger” Brigade based in Cagayan de Oro City in 2016.
Gacal is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Maringal” Class of 1988 with expertise in resource management and managerial acumen.
He graduated Master in Strategic Studies, Peace and Security Stabilization Course, International Fellows Academic Preparatory Course and Senior Service College and Joint Professional Military Education all from United States Army War College in Pennsylvania, USA.
Meanwhile, Santos also commended Arevalo, who also serves as the concurrent commander of the AFP Education Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC).
"With Major General Arevalo’s experiences in conveying AFP messages and facts as a seasoned defender and builder of the AFP’s image, I am certain that there will be significant improvements particularly in the conduct of training and skills-development for the whole Armed Forces,” he said.
Arevalo previously held positions concurrent with his responsibilities as AFP spokesperson including Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations (CMO), and as both Acting Commander and Deputy Commander of the Civil Relations Service.
He also served as commander of the Civil Military Operations Group and spokesperson of the Philippine Navy, and was assigned at PMA as a military instructor from 2003 to 2008
Arevalo is a member of the PMA "Bigkis-lahi” Class of 1990. He is a decorated Marine, a Counselor-at-Law and Notary Public, author, an educator, crisis communicator, and a CMO practitioner.