West Point grad pushed as next AFP chief

Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya, AFP deputy chief of staff, leads six other three-star generals in the race to succeed Gen. Roy Cimatu as Armed Forces chief.

Cimatu is scheduled to retire next Wednesday.

The "short list" for the new Armed Forces chief has been submitted to President Arroyo by the AFP Board of Generals following the endorsement of Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes.

Mrs. Arroyo said she would make consultations on her choice to get the sentiments of the officers and men of the Armed Forces.

Others vying for the top AFP post are Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, Army commander Lt. Gen. Dionisio Santiago, Navy Flag-Officer-in Command Vice Adm. Victorino Hingco, and Armed Forces Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina.

Except for Abaya, the other contenders will either retire this year or early next year, when they reach the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Abaya, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, will retire on Oct. 29, 2004.

Abaya was also the first among the contenders to be promoted to three-star rank.

Abaya holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree from Leigh University in Pennsylvania, USA and topped the civil engineering examinations in 1974.

Abaya also has a Master of Business Administration diploma from the University of the Philippines where he graduated with honors.

Abaya belongs to Class 1971 of the Philippine Military Academy.

Preparations are now in full swing for the change of command at the AFP on Sept. 3.

Practice parades are proceeding on schedule, along with security arrangements and protocol requirements.

The Army, Navy, and Air Force have each deployed troops to welcome the new Armed Forces chief. — Marichu Villanueva