PAF chief shortlist submitted to Aquino

MANILA, Philippines - The military has submitted to President Aquino a shortlist of possible successors to Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, who will retire on Jan. 10.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa said the short list submitted by the Board of Generals (BOG) contained four senior officers who are “well qualified.”

The BOG is composed of the AFP chief, AFP vice chief, AFP deputy chief and the heads of the Air Force, Army and Navy.

Sources said the four Air Force officers in the list are Maj. Gen. Jose Villarete, commander of the 3rd Air Division; Maj. Gen. Ricardo Banayat, chief of the 1st Air Division; Maj. Gen. Lauro de la Cruz, chief of air staff; and Maj. Gen. Gregorio Macapagal, chief of the Air Training and Education Command.