AN Air Force general has been designated acting AFP deputy chief of staff, the third highest post in the military establishment.
Maj. Gen. Augustine Malinit assumed the post on Wednesday during rites presided over by AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr at the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo.
Malinit, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1991, succeeded Marine Lt. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, of the PMA Class 1989, who reached the retirement age of 57 on Wednesday.
AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement, said Malinit will be the acting AFP deputy chief of staff in concurrent capacity as the AFP Inspector General, a post Malinit occupied just last month.
Malinit’s previous assignments include AFP vice commander, commander of the Air Defense Command, and commander of the 580th Air Control Warning Wing.
During the ceremony, the military paid tribute to Gaerlan who bowed out of the service after 39 years of “exemplary service.” Gaerlan held key positions in the military, including as commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.
Brawner expressed his gratitude to Gaerlan, his PMA classmate, emphasizing the importance of his leadership.
Brawner also expressed confidence in Malinit’s ability to uphold the legacy of excellence.
“Today we honor an exemplary leader who dedicated 39 years of his life to a remarkable service, and welcome his successor to continue this legacy within the Office of The Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP,” said Brawner.
Four other three-star military officers are due to retire this the year.
They are Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. William Gonzales (November 23), Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr (November 24), Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreño (December 20), and Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos (December 31), who is on a floating status.
Carlos was relieved as commander of the AFP Western Command last May amid allegations he entered into a “new model” agreement with a Chinese diplomat without the approval of higher authorities.
Carlos denied entering into the agreement which reportedly seeks to manage the tension between Philippines and China in connection with the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
