EastMinCom chief is next Army commander, says Sobejana

Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana on Friday said Lieutenant General Jose Faustino is the next commanding general of the Philippine Army.

Sobejana told reporters that Faustino would lead the Army in an acting capacity.

"He will be the next CGPA but on acting capacity because he has less than one year remaining in the military service... by law it should be [a] year," Sobejana said.

He said Faustino would be in acting capacity until his retirement but it could change if the latter will be given new tasks.

"Until retirement for now, pero kung may iba pang trabahong ibibigay then malalaman na lang natin," Sobejana said.

The AFP chief expressed confidence that Faustino could lead the Army well.

"As far as the experience is concerned, mataas ang level of expertise niya sa peace and security efforts," Sobejana said.

Prior to his new post, Faustino, who belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, led the Army's Eastern Mindanao Command.

He also became the commander of the 10th Infantry Division where he had made efforts in conducting focus military operations to dismantle various communist formations.

Faustino also served the 11th Intelligence Service Unit in Davao City and fought local terrorists in Western Mindanao when he led the 35th Infantry Battalion and the 501st Infantry Brigade as brigade commander.

According to Sobejana, he would still meet with other military officials to determine who will replace Faustino in EastMinCom.—Anna Felicia Bajo/AOL, GMA News