Noynoy names Nolcom commander David as next AFP chief

(Updated 5:28 p.m.) On the eve of his assumption as the country's 15th president, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III on Tuesday named Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr. as the incoming chief of staff of the Philippine military. Aquino made the announcement shortly after naming members of his official family and other government executives at a press conference in Quezon City. David is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Masikap" Class of 1977. His classmate, Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, was reportedly also a contender for the top military post. Last week, Gen. Delfin Bangit cut short his tour of duty, opting to retire early from the service after Aquino himself said he does not want the military general to be serve under him. Bangit was supposed to retire on July 31, 2011. Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, also a member of the David's class, took over the AFP in an acting capacity. Ochoa was a member of the security group of the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, Aquino's mother. Ochoa would be acting military chief until David formally assumes office. Aquino had repeatedly said Bangit must leave his post because his appointment was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments before Congress adjourned earlier this month. Bangit and outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are perceived to have close ties. Their relationship dates back to when President Arroyo was still vice president, with Bangit serving as commanding officer of her security detachment. Bangit is a member of the PMA "Makatarungan" Class of 1978, of which President Arroyo is an honorary member. Part of Cory’s PSG The 55-year-old Pampanga-born Davbid has a long list of credentials, both inside and outside of the military organization. He graduated at the top of his class in both elementary and high school, and holds a Masters Degree both in Business Administration and Security Studies. As a young soldier, David was assigned to hostile areas in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao from 1977 to 1983. In 1987, he became part of the Presidential Security Group of Mrs. Aquino, where he stayed for five years. In 1996, David came back to the field as commander of the Philippine Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion. He later became chief of the AFP Command Center in 2006 and commanding general of the Army Support Command in 2008. He also served as commander of the Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Mindanao in 2008, before he was took the post as Nolcom chief a year ago. David is married to Merilou David, an employee of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and has two sons with her. — with Sophia Dedace and Andreo Calonzo/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV