Nine key PAF officers become generals

MANILA, Philippines - Nine senior officers of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) have been promoted, receiving additional stars and directed to exercise good leadership in their respective units.

PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol said the newly promoted officers are composed of one three-star, three two-star and five one-star generals.

The promoted generals were led by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr., who secured his third star.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’79, Oban was requested by the rebel soldier group Magdalo to negotiate with them due to his capabilities.

The Air Force generals who got their second star were Maj. Gen. Ricardo Banayat, 1st Air Division commander, Maj. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal, commander of the Air Education and Training Command, and Maj. Gen. Lauro Catalino de la Cruz, the chief of Air Staff.

Promoted to one-star general were Brig. Gen. Neal Gacrama, commander of the 355th Air Engineering Wing, Brig. Gen. Eldon Luis Nemenzo, vice chairman of the AFP Bids and Awards Committee, Brig. Gen. Fred Payawan, acting commander of the 600th Air Base Wing, Brig. Gen. Edwin Manuel Remotique, commander of the Air Defense Wing and Brig. Gen. Raul Dimatatac, commander of the 560th Air Base Wing.