At least 7 to 9 DND officials resigned with Faustino, spox says

At least seven to nine officials of the Department of National Defense (DND) quit their posts following the resignation of former officer-in-charge Jose Faustino Jr., DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Tuesday.

“Basta lahat nung team na dala ni General Faustino, I think that's about seven or nine of them. Hindi ko na mabilang ngayon kung ilan 'yung third level officials na above director,” Andolong told reporters when asked how many officials filed a courtesy resignation.

(All those part of the team brought by General Faustino resigned, I think that's about seven or nine of them. I can’t count now how many third level officials above director level.)

Faustino on Tuesday said he quit his post last week after learning "only from news and social media" that a new military chief took an oath in Malacañang.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed General Andres Centino back as chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), replacing his previous appointee Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro, who was AFP chief for about five months.

Following Faustino's resignation, Marcos appointed Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Carlito Galvez Jr. as DND secretary.

According to Andolong, the resignation of the DND officials under the new leadership is “normal” because he said it is “customary” and “part of procedure” for them to do so as coterminous officials.

Aside from Faustino, Andolong said the DND officials who resigned include around five undersecretaries and four assistant secretaries.

He said the DND is still able to continue its operations despite the resignations.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News