Like his predecessor, now Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, Santillan is also a veteran of the military campaigns against secessionist Muslim rebels in Mindanao, particularly in Sulu.
Born in Manila on May 14, 1948, Santillan graduated from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1970.
Santillan has held key positions in the PAF, among them assistant chief of air staff for personnel, assistant chief of air staff for intelligence, commander of the 410th Maintenance Wing, commander of the 220th Heavy Airlift Wing and commander of the Air Force Tactical Operations Command (TOC).
Santillan also trained at the Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and other military air facilities in the US. He also pursued advance studies at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
Santillan was a recipient of numerous awards and commendations including five Distinguished Service Star medals and the Golden Aviation Award for command and leadership. –Paolo Romero