AFP chief confirmed after Filipino peacekeepers' escape

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday confirmed the promotion of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gregorio Catapang Jr. following the successful escape of the Filipino peackeepers in Golan Heights.

The CA confirmed Catapang to the rank of general and commended him for guiding to safety the 40 Filipino peacekeepers working for the United Nations in Syria.

Aside from Catapang, the CA also confirmed the appointment of 51 other senior military officers including Edwin Remotigue and Victor Bayani, promoted to the rank of major general; John Bonafos, lieutenant general; and Inocencio Mayangao, Angelito de Leon, Arnold Mancita and Gen. Irma Almoneda; brigadier general.

The recent standoff between the Filipino peacekeepers and Syrian rebels in Golan Heights was considered as the first test of Catapang, who only became the military's top brass on July.

Along with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Catapang approved the Filipino troops' decision not to surrender to the rebels, in coordination with the UN leadership as well as with friendly states.