AFP chief now also called Chairman of Joint Chiefs —Arevalo

Some of the key positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been renamed in order for it to be "aligned" with the military organizations of other countries.

AFP spokesman Major General Edgard Arevalo has said the AFP chief of staff is also called as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, following a directive of the Department of National Defense last June 19.

"Ang reason is we would like to be aligned with, coordinated with the convention... kung papaano tinatawag 'yung ating mga counterpart AFP organization or Armed Forces in the world," Arevalo told reporters.

Arevalo said the The Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFP is now called the Chief of the Joint Staff while the AFP Vice Chief of Staff is now referred to as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He also noted the changes in the title of major service commanders:

• Commanding General Philippine Army - Chief of the Army
• Commanding General Philippine Air Force - Chief of the Air Force
• Flag-Officer-in-Command Philippine Navy - Chief of the Navy

The AFP spokesman said the changes are being disseminated to all military officers.

Meanwhile, Arevalo clarified that no additional power was added to the military officers following this development.

"So pinalitan lang 'yung pangalan, walang nadagdag na power, walang nadagdag na position, walang nadagdag na heirarchy," he said.

Arevalo said the purpose of the designation and the renaming of key positions of the AFP is for effective command, control, and supervision by the Chief of Staff of the AFP or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

"This envisions to make the AFP more responsive and capable to address current and future non-conventional threats," he said.

"As Chief of Staff and the Head of the AFP, he will have the operational supervision and control over the Joint Force Commanders of the Unified Commands who are the 'force employers,'" he added. —KBK, GMA News