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Duterte appoints ISAFP chief as Army commanding general


President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a top intelligence official as the next commanding general of the Philippine Army,  Malacañang said Thursday.

Duterte named Intelligence Service, Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief Major General Macairog Alberto to the post to be vacated by Major General Rolando Bautista.

Alberto will assume his new post on October 15 when Bautista reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Duterte is expected to lead the change of command and retirement ceremony to be held at the Philippine Army Officer's Clubhouse in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on that day.

Bautista, meanwhile, will soon head the Department of Social and Welfare and Development. Critics earlier raised concern about growing "miitarization" of Duterte's official family, but the President just shrugged this off.

The President said on Tuesday that he prefers former service personnel because they obey orders without debating them.

Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief, earlier said Alberto is considered a national security fellow and adept not only with combat operations but also with intelligence operations.

Alberto led the fight against New People's Army in the Davao Region.

"He had successful stint in operations focusing in counter terrorism, counter-insurgency applied with educational training locally and abroad in the field of operations and intelligence,” Arevalo said of Alberto, a former commander of the Army's 1001st Infantry Brigade based in Compostela Valley.

Alberto was a former commander of Task Force Davao and a recipient of various medical and awards including Distinguish Service Stars, Gold Cross Medal and Bronze Cross Medal. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News

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