Eastern Mindanao Command's Madrigal is next AFP chief

Manila, Philippines — Army Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command, will be the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

LOOK | Appointment paper ni incoming AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal. | via @KatherineImson pic.twitter.com/BC1JujxrSN

— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) December 5, 2018

According to his appointment papers, Madrigal will begin his term as head of the AFP on December 12, replacing Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who is expected to head the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process upon retirement.

Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, described Madrigal as “very adept in triad operations with his boots firmly grounded. He is highly regarded and respected by his classmates and even by his seniors. He is both an administrator and a manager.”

The Davao City-headquartered Eastern Mindanao Command's area of responsibility includes the Davao, Soccsksargen, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga regions, where communist rebels operate. Madrigal's appointment comes as the AFP and President Rodrigo Duterte take a harder line against the New People's Army.

READ: AFP: Holiday truce with NPA 'not worth it'

Before taking the post of EastMinCom commander last year, he was the commander of the 701st Infantry Brigade in Mati, Davao Oriental.

Madrigal is from the Philippine Military Academy's "Sandiwa Class" of 1985. — Ryan Macasero