Duterte extends AFP chief Guerrero’s term

President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the term of Armed Forces chief General Rey Leonardo Guerrero, days before he reaches his mandatory retirement age.

"This is to announce that the Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, has signed yesterday, December 6, the extension of the service of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in statement. 

"AFP chief of staff General Guerrero will reach his age of compulsory retirement on December 17, 2017, and the President has extended his service to April 24, 2018, as per Republic Act No. 8186, or six months since he assumed office as AFP chief of staff," he added.

Guerrero took his oath of office also on December 6.

Also on Wednesday, Guerrero's appointment as military chief was confirmed by the bicameral Commission on Appointments. 

Guerrero, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984, was named AFP chief on October 25.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier expressed support to having Guerrero's term extended. "Ano naman ang magagawa ni General Guerrero sa two months? Siguro ma-extend naman ng mahaba-habang panahon para naman magampanan niya naman ang trabaho niya." — RSJ, GMA News

 — RSJ, GMA News