Philippines' Duterte names new armed forces chief of staff

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has named Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In a letter to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana dated July 28 and released on Wednesday, Duterte said Gapay will assume the position effective Aug. 3, 2020.

Gapay will replace AFP chief General Felimon Santos who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Aug. 3.

Gapay was former commander of the AFP's Southern Luzon Command, commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division and deputy commander of Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)