Gapay named AFP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Army commander Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay will be the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, sharing a copy of President Duterte’s letter to him dated July 28, yesterday announced that Gapay would assume his new post on Aug. 3.

In a statement, Gapay thanked the President for the trust and confidence in giving him the opportunity to lead the AFP in this trying time in the nation’s history.

“As your incoming chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we will build on the gains of our predecessors whose labors made the AFP an able agent for the betterment of our people and country,” he said.

He also vowed to continue to push for the modernization of the military to uphold sovereignty and the integrity of the national territory.

Gapay, who graduated at the top of his class at the Philippine Military Academy in 1986, was appointed as the 61st Army commanding general in December 2019.

He was a former commander of the Southern Luzon Command during which the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon were declared as insurgency-free.

Gapay holds a master’s degree in Management from the Philippine Christian University and is a graduate of the Air Traffic Control Officer Course at the Air Education Training Center, United States Air Force; Emergency Management Seminar, Australian Defense Force; and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Training Seminar with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

He is a recipient of several awards and decorations, which include the Philippine Legion of Honor, four Distinguished Service Stars, four Gold Cross Medals for gallantry in action, and an Outstanding Achievement Medal.

“While the lessons of the past always remind us that our purpose is winning over challenges to best serve our people, we will uphold our mandate to protect and secure our country against external and internal threats. In doing so, we will remain accountable to the Filipino people,” Gapay said.

“I also assure everyone that the AFP is a force committed to ensure peace, stability, and progress being denied by terrorists and their narratives. Your AFP is a far cry from the grim picture being painted by those against the Anti-Terrorism Law. Your AFP is your protector—not your enemy,” he added.