President Duterte has appointed Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. as the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Malacañang announced Friday, July 30.
Faustino, commander of the joint task force in Mindanao, will take the place of Gen. Cirilito Sobejana who is expected to retire from the service on Saturday.
"We confirm that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved and signed the designation of LGEN Jose C. Faustino, Jr. as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) effective July 31, 2021," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.
According to Roque, the incoming military chief is expected to help ensure national security as well as pursue the AFP modernization program.
"We are confident that Gen. Faustino will continue the peace and development efforts of his predecessors while aggressively building up our defense capability. We pray for Gen. Faustino's success as he embarks in his new role as AFP Chief," he added.
Faustino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, previously served as acting chief of the Philippine Army.