MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. succeeded Emmanuel Bautista as the new chief of staff of the 125,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) today.
President Benigno Aquino III led the change of command of the AFP at the military's general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo.
Gen. Emmanuel Bautista will retire from the military service on July 20 when he reaches 56, the mandatory retirement age.
President Aquino described Catapang as an "all-around" official of the armed forces, who is responsible, reliable, and has extensive knowledge in running the military.
Catapang, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981, has been assigned in Mindanao, and has led the 7th Infantry Division and the Northern Luzon Command of the Philippines Marines, before his appointment as AFP vice chief-of-staff.