Lorenzana reiterates new AFP chief's term should be extended

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Monday it would be unfair to newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero if he will serve for less than two months.

“Kasi unfair naman na bigyan mo siya ng two months lang. Bigyan mo siya ng mas mahaba [na panahon] para makagawa naman ng trabaho,” Lorenzana told reporters after the 78th Department of National Defense anniversary.

He reiterated his intention to recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend Guerrero beyond his mandatory retirement date on December 11.

“Well, its part of the program, yes, as I said before when he took over last October 26, I will, I will [recommend his extension],” he said.

Guerrero headed the Davao-based Eastern Mindanao Command prior to his appointment as AFP chief, replacing General Eduardo Año.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maharlika” class of 1984.

The AFP has had short-term chiefs in the past, among them General Benjamin Defensor, who was AFP chief for 69 days, and General Rodolfo Biazon, who served from January 24 to April 12 in 1991. —ALG, GMA News