(Updated) AFP names new Air Force chief

(Updated 3:30 p.m.) The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said it appointed its third-highest ranking officer to head the Philippine Air Force, replacing Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentino who opted to relinquish his post ahead of his retirement date next month. In a press briefing, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP spokesman, said Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog – who is currently The Deputy Chief of Staff (TDCS) – will assume the post as Air Force chief on Friday. “General Pedrito Cadungog who is the incumbent Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be, has been appointed, will be taking over the helm of the Philippine Air Force tomorrow at 3 p.m.," Bacarro said. Prior to his position as TDCS, Cadungog - a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1975 - was Commander of the Air Education and Training Command in 2007, Chief of Air Staff in 2006, and Wing Commander of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing in 2003, among others. For the top Air Force post, Cadungog bested Air Force vice commander Maj. Gen. Pedro Insierto, a classmate of Tolentino and Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr in PMA class of 1974. Insierto would be taking over the position that would be vacated by Cadungog, Bacarro said. Insierto’s appointment as the new No. 3 man of the Armed Forces means that he would be also promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. “General Cadungog is an officer who is a credible officer and he has served the Air Force well. He is very much qualified just like the rest. It just so happened that only one can occupy the post," Bacarro told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo. Tolentino, who is due to reach the retirement age of 56 on February 7, has asked higher headquarters to be allowed to relinquish his post to give the other officers the chance to lead the 17,000-strong Air Force. His request was subsequently granted. Had Tolentino waited for his 56th birthday before relinquishing his post, Cadungog and Insierto would not be qualified to head the Air Force. The law provides that an officer should have at least one year in the service left to qualify as commander of a major service like the Air Force. Cadungog is turning 56 on January 11 next year. On the other hand, Insierto – previously the commander of the Tactical Operations Command, is due for retirement on January 21 also next year. Some officers have described Tolentino’s act of giving way as an act of patronage. Speaking of condition of anonymity, an officer said there are other officials who are similarly qualified to handle the post if Cadungog and Insierto are disqualified from the selection process. Bacarro said officers giving way to younger officers to head high positions are nothing new. “There have been some similar cases earlier. Its only a few months and they think they have already accomplished their mission so they give the younger generations the opportunity," he said. Among the recent major service commanders who gave way to younger officers was former Navy chief Vice Admiral Ernesto de Leon now ambassador to Australia Ernesto de Leon. De Leon relinquished his post in December 2005, several months before his retirement date to give way to now retired Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga. When asked what would be thrust as Air Force chief, Cadungog said: “I will just continue the programs that are in the pipeline and these includes doctrine development, increasing the proficiency of our pilots and acquisition of equipment and maintenance of existing equipment." Cadungog also warned Air Force officers and men who are engaged in illicit activities like womanizing and gambling. The incoming Air Force chief said he has heard stories about womanizing officials but he declined to give their identities. “I’s issuing a warning to our airmen. I will not be forgiving to those who are going to abuse their authorities," said Cadungog. He said that as officers, they should serve as the role model for all the soldiers. - GMANews.TV