AFP in major leadership overhaul anew

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is in for another major leadership overhaul with the retirement of two of its key officers.

Incumbent Intelligence Service of the AFP (ISAFP) chief Maj. Gen. Macairog Alberto will be assuming command of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army from Lt. Gen. Rolando Bautista, who retires today.

While Bautista’s next assignment as Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary is known, Alberto as ISAFP chief is yet to be announced.

“There’s no replacement yet,” said a Camp Aguinaldo insider, referring to the next ISAFP chief.

On Friday, Lt. Gen. Donato San Juan, superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), also retired from the service upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

San Juan was replaced, in an acting capacity, by Maj. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista, commander of the newly activated AFP Special Operations Command (AFP Socom).

Evangelista’s moving up to Baguio City as PMA superintendent, meanwhile, renders his post at AFP Socom vacant.

“There’s no official pronouncement as to who will be replacing (Evangelista),” the same Camp Aguinaldo source said.