60 senior AFP officers hurdle CA

The ad interim appointments and nomination of 60 senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were approved by the Commission on Appointments on Thursday.

The CA found the following nominees fit and qualified for their ranks:

•     Erick Kagaoan - Vice Admiral
•     Alex Luna - Major General
•     Rolando Nerona  - Brigadier General
•     Denie Mar Clemencia - Brigadier General
•     Jesus Durante III - Brigadier General
•     Jesus Rico Atencio - Brigadier General
•     Ferdinand Barandon - Brigadier General
•     Gerardo Catindoy - Brigadier General

The ad interim appointments of the following also secured the CA’s nod:

•     Benedict Arevalo - Major General
•     Teofilo R. Bailon Jr. - Brigadier General
•     George Blanco - Brigadier General
•     Andrew Bacala Jr. - Colonel, PA
•     Noel Laurio - Captain, PN
•     Davice Christopher Mercado - Colonel, PA
•     Crisanto Calit - Colonel, PA
•     Reynaldo Malapad - Colonel, PA
•     Manolito Roque - Captain, PN
•     Jose Eduardo Liboon - Colonel , PA
•     Allen Raymund Tomas - Colonel, PA
•     Philipp Alvarez Jr. - Colonel, PA
•     Florencio Politud Jr. - Colonel, PA
•     Ramil Corpuz - Colonel, PA
•     Eulogio Nabua - Colonel PAF
•     Wilbert Manuel Buhayo - Colonel PAF
•     Miljun Penaflorida - Captain, PN
•     Joel Bonavente - Colonel, PN-Marines
•     Joel Lobitana - Colonel, PA
•     Ronel Manalo - Colonel, PA
•     Jamaloding Polog - Colonel, PA
•     Darrel Banez - Colonel, PA
•     Richard Sibayan - Colonel, PA
•     Prudencio Patricio Jr. - Colonel, PA
•     Roderick Garcia - Colonel, PA
•     Patricio Tomales - Colonel, PA
•     Reby Ann Naldoza - Colonel, Nurse Corps
•     Michael Mangahas - Colonel, Nurse Corps
•     Nelson Aluad - Colonel, PA
•     Ruben Aquino - Colonel, PA
•     Gaudencio Lauron III - Colonel, PAF
•     Archibald Dino Delfin - Captain, PN
•     Peter Tolentino III - Captain, PN
•     Rhojun Rosales - Colonel, PA
•     Emelito Thaddeus Logan - Colonel, PA
•     Randy Buena - Colonel, PAF
•     Dante Aquino - Colonel, PAF
•     Manuel Van Genson- Colonel, PA
•     Peter Edwin Navarro - Colonel, PA
•     Homer Gonzalez - Captain, PN
•     Jamel Samonte - Colonel, PA
•     Ramon Antonio Bello - Colonel, PA
•     Randy Remonte - Colonel, PA
•     Ronnie Paba - Captain, PN
•     Froilan Labador - Colonel, PA
•     Edmund Paul Delos Santos - Colonel, PA
•     Reynaldo Gabinete - Colonel, PAF
•     Elpidio Factor - Colonel, PN-Marines
•     Nephtali Padua - Colonel PN-Marines
•     Peter Occiano - Colonel, PA
•     Erickson Go - Colonel, Medical Corps
•     Ernesto Bautista Jr. - Colonel, PAF

During the CA deliberations, Kagaoan, being the most senior officer, was asked about his position regarding reports that China has drafted a coast guard law which supposedly authorizes its maritime law enforcers to demolish foreign constructions in disputed waters and islands in the South China Sea.

“There's a specific task force that handles all issues regarding the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea. That is the National Task Force for West Philippine Sea being chaired by our National Security Adviser [Hermogenes] Esperon,” he said.

“I used to be a member of the task force. I’m sure those reports are being validated by the National Task Force West Philippine Sea and issues like these are being handled first diplomatically,” he added.

Kagaoan assured the lawmakers that the AFP will continue to protect the West Philippine Sea and will remain there for maritime domain awareness and maritime presence.—AOL, GMA News