Thirty ranking officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday obtained the approval of the Commission on Appointments (CA) for their respective promotions and ad interim appointments
Brigadier General William Gonzales, commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Sulu and the Jolo-based 11th Infantry Division (11ID), bannered the military officers as the CA approved his nomination to the rank of Major General (2-star general).
Gonzales' division is engaged in fighting against the local and foreign terrorist groups, and other security threats in Mindanao.
The CA’s Committee on National Defense also deliberated on and recommended for the approval of the ad interim appointments of Major General Fernyl Buca, Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, Commodore Alfonso Torres Jr., Brigadier General Leonel Nicolas, and Brigadier General Zosimo Oliveros.
The CA panel also approved the promotion of Colonels Nelson Posadas, Judith Espejo, and Reynaldo Capuz, all from the AFP Medical Corps; Colonel Ashraf Chio, from the Medical and Administrative Corps; and Colonel Vener Malabanan III, from the Judge Advocate General Service.
Also confirmed were the promotions of 14 Army colonels, two Navy captains, an Air Force colonel, and two Marine colonels.
They are Philippine Army Colonels Darius Resuello, Edgar Mangabay, Cesar Conte Jr., Virgilio Hamos Jr., Darwin Hernandez, Rhenante Salvador, Edwin Paredes, Christopher Diaz, Palmer Parungao, Emerito Pineda, Arnel Cabugon, Sofronio Abadier Jr., Marieto Pizana, and Eugenio Garcia;
Navy Captains Ferdinand Gloria and Federico Alcantara;
Philippine Air Force Colonel Arthur Balunes; and
Marine Colonels Ramil Densing and Jessie Jovette Cerbo.
The CA chaired by Senate President Vicente Sotto III found the AFP officers "all qualified for the ranks given to them" upon the recommendation of Representative Luis A. Ferrer IV, chairman of the CA National Defense Committee.
The nominations will be transmitted to President Duterte, who will formalize the officers' promotions.
The same panel previously confirmed the ad interim appointments and promotions of 30 AFP senior officers last October 7.
General Gilbert Gapay, AFP Chief of Staff, congratulated the military officers for the recent accomplishment in their careers.
"Promotions in the AFP signify its longstanding commitment towards fortifying professionalism which contributes in the effective and efficient performance of its mandate," Gapay said.
"The AFP is grateful for the trust and support of the Commission on Appointments to our members who took on higher responsibilities in serving our country as they rise through the military ranks," he added.