Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), formally assumed as the new deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday, March 27, making him the organization’s third in command. Gaerlan took over from Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, who served the post in an acting capacity after the retirement of Vice Adm. Rommel Anthony Reyes last March 15.  Gaerlan was appointed to the post by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. effective March 21. The new designation makes Gaerlan eligible for his third star (Lieutenant General). AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino, who presided over the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, urged the entire military organization to support Gaerlan in his new role. “With the broad knowledge and expertise of MGen. Gaerlan in the field of intelligence, operations, and personnel management, I am fully confident that he shall further fortify the traditions of the AFP leadership," Centino said. In his assumption speech, Gaerlan hinted of his priorities that includes the ongoing modernization program of the AFP which is on already on the third and final "horizon" or phase (2023 to 2028). “I urge everyone to continue to support the AFP modernization and transformation programs so that we can achieve our mission to become a world-class armed force and continue to value the enhancement of professionalism across the organization,” Gaerlan said. Meanwhile, Gaerlan will still serve as the concurrent 35^th PMC Commandant as his replacement is yet to be named by the AFP, according to a military source. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Makatao” Class of 1989. He has over 34 years of experience as a military officer and has occupied various positions in the AFP in the areas of operations, intelligence, and administration. Before becoming the Marine commandant, Gaerlan also served at the AFP General Headquarters as the commander of the AFP Education, Training, and Doctrine Command; and assistant deputy chief of staff for intelligence (AJ2). On the field, he was assigned in various posts in Mindanao, Palawan, and at the PMC headquarters in Taguig City. He served as the deputy brigade commander of the 2^nd Marine Brigade based in Tawi-Tawi; deputy commander for marine operations of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao; inspector general of the PMC; and commander of the 3^rd Marine Brigade in Western Command, Palawan. "Without [a] doubt, his previous designations prepared him to take on greater tasks as the AFP’s third-in-command,” Centino added.