Marine Corps chief to retire early, says Clement

Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps Major General Alvin Parreño will retire ahead of schedule, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Noel Clement told reporters on Thursday.

Parreño was scheduled to retire in March 2020 but will be stepping down earlier for personal reasons, according to Clement.

“He is planning to go on early retirement, whatever is his personal reason about it, I'm not aware, but we are still awaiting word as to the confirmation if the Secretary has actually approved the early retirement of the Marine,” he said during the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines forum.

Parreño assumed leadership of the Marines in 2017, replacing Major General Emmanuel Salamat.

“Rest assured that the Armed Forces' leadership is trying to address issues that will arise from the early retirement of the marine commandant if that will push through,” Clement said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News