AFP chief bids farewell to troops

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista has started bidding farewell to his troops less than a month before he retires from the service.

The Army will render a testimonial review in honor of Bautista on July 4 in Fort Bonifacio, the first military major service to do so.

"He will thank the troops and bid farewell to them. He will thank them because he spent most of his years as an Army officer," Army spokesman Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said.

Detoyato said the testimonial review is a military tradition that honors retiring officers. Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, reportedly one of the strong contenders to succeed Bautista, will host the event.

Other major services namely the Navy and the Air Force are also expected to hold similar tributes for Bautista, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on July 20.

The change of command ceremony, however, will be held two days earlier because Bautista’s 56th birthday will fall on a Sunday.

Bautista was the commanding general of the Philippine Army when he was named chief of the 125,000-strong armed forces. 

A member of Philippine Military Academy “Dimalupig” class of 1981, Bautista has held key military posts including chief of the 3rd Infantry Division based in Capiz and Armed Forces deputy chief for operations.  Other posts he held include commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade and chief of the 24th Infantry Battalion.

Security officials previously said all general officers are qualified to succeed Bautista.

Among the senior officers who are qualified for the post are Armed Forces Vice Chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Catapang, Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Virgilio Domingo, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado and Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan.