GMA names new AFP chief Wednesday

The waiting game ain’t over yet.

President Arroyo changed her mind yesterday and put off until Wednesday her announcement of the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The President said earlier she would announce today the successor of AFP chief Gen. Roy Cimatu who is slated to officially end his extended tour of duty on Sept. 4.

Mrs. Arroyo also extended anew Cimatu’s tenure until Sept. 10 "so that he can have Sulu as his swan song."

She was apparently referring to the intensified search-and-destroy operations in Sulu against suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists who seized four women and two men — all members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses — last month, then later beheaded the two male hostages.

Malacañang officials remained tight-lipped on Cimatu’s successor, although the list has been limited to the six three-star generals, among them the two major service commanders.

The "short list" has been submitted to the President and Commander-in-Chief by the AFP Board of Generals, as endorsed by Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, himself a former AFP chief.

The roster was tackled during a marathon meeting at the Palace yesterday.

Mrs. Arroyo said she would continue to practice her "revolving door" policy in appointing the AFP chief even if the nominee is scheduled to retire soon upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Vying for the top AFP post are Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Narciso Abaya, Army chief Lt. Gen. Dionisio Santiago, Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Adm. Victorino Hingco and Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina.

Malacañang sources, who asked not to be identified, said Defensor appeared to be the President’s choice.

Except for Abaya who turns 56 on Oct. 29, 2004, the contenders were either set for retirement this year or early next year. This means they will have short terms, in the same manner that Cimatu occupied the position for barely four months, including a three-month extension granted by the President.

Although Mrs. Arroyo acknowledged the advantages of having an AFP chief with longer tenure, she hinted that she would not immediately implement the idea.

"Eventually, it will be good to have a longer-term chief of staff, but not immediately...not necessarily so," she said.

"What is important is the continuity of policies," the President said, adding that she does not want a new chief of staff who would unnecessarily change the policies of his predecessor.

Meanwhile, a senior military official who asked not to be identified said Cimatu is currently in the South not only to personally supervise the on-going campaign against the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers, but also to make his farewell visits to the troops in various camps.

Dispelling rumors that Cimatu’s followers were lobbying for another extension for him, the source cited a letter of instruction enjoining the troops to prepare for the forthcoming change of command at the AFP headquarters on Sept. 10.

Cimatu took over as AFP chief last May 18, or two days before the originally scheduled change of command with the official retirement of his predecessor, Gen. Diomedio Villanueva who served for 15 months.

"I think the chief of staff (Cimatu) is happy and fulfilled. He is a simple man. He is thankful already that he got extended for three months. It is about time another chief of staff takes his place," the source said. – Marichu Villanueva, Jaime Laude