Senga takes over as AFP chief today

Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga will formally take over the helm of the 120,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) today, with some officers saying he is a man who can unite the military.

In a formal ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Senga, former commanding general of the Philippine Army, will be installed as the 34th AFP chief, replacing Gen. Efren Abu, who retires today after a one-month extension granted him by President Arroyo.

Abu was supposed to retire from military service last July 17 after reaching the age of 56. The recent political instability prompted the

President to extend Abu’s term. Abu was quick to declare neutrality over the issue and warned military personnel against engaging in partisan political activities.

Senga, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’72, also served as a former commanding general of the AFP Southern Command (Southcom), which has jurisdiction over the entire Mindanao.

Senga will be replaced by Maj. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, former chief of the Army Special Operations Command (Socom).

The incoming AFP chief of staff is regarded by his colleagues in the AFP as a very respected military officer who has many significant achievements to his name.

Army chief Maj. Gen. Alexander Yano said Senga is "a strategic thinker and pragmatic doer."

"Everybody respects General Senga, who manages to exact high standards of performance from himself and his men. He is also a silent doer," said Yano, who worked with Senga during the latter’s stint as infantry brigade commander in Davao province.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao, who was Senga’s classmate in PMA Class ’72, considered Senga as "an intelligent and good-natured military officer."

Born in Marikina City on July 21, 1950, Senga was also assigned as commander of the 6th Infantry Division in Awang, Maguindanao; AFP deputy chief of staff for civil military operations (J-7), Army chief of staff, AFP spokesman, chief of the 701st Infantry Brigade, commander of the Army’s counter-terrorist group; Army assistant chief of staff for operations (G-3), and chief of staff of the AFP Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) based in Tarlac.

Senga has a master’s degree in business administration from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he also took two years of law school. He is married to Pilar Pigason-Senga of Masbate. They have three children — Kristina, Gabriel and Katrina. — Cecille Suerte Felipe