Arroyo PMA ‘classmate’ named new Air Force chief

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class that adopted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was named as the new commander of the Philippine Air Force, a military spokesman said on Friday. In an interview, Air Force spokesman Maj. Gerry Zamudio said Maj. Gen. Oscar Rabena - who is presently the Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for plans and programs - was tapped to replace Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog who is reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Sunday. “He (Rabena) is a complete package of an officer and a multi-dimensional officer because he became commander of various key units ranking from tactical, plans and programs," Zamudio said. Rabena is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1978, which has adopted the President as an honorary member. His classmates include Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit and 7th Infantry Division chief Maj. Gen. Ralph Villanueva. Turnover rites is slated for Friday afternoon and will be presided by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano at the Air Force headquarters at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Prior to his current post, Rabena was the Air Force inspector general, commander of the 15th Strike Wing and commander of the Presidential Airlift Wing, which is in charge of the aircraft used by the President and her family. “He was the inspector general of the Air Force who knows the problem at the lower echelon. He knows the concerns and he knows what should be done. He is indeed the best choice," Zamudio said. Rabena bested three other candidates, all members of the PMA class 1976 and classmates of AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano. They are: Air Force vice commander Maj. Rolando Capacia, Maj. Gen.Hernani Perez, head of the Air Education and Training Command; and Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi, commander of the Air Force’s 2nd Air Division. - GMANews.TV