Generals start process to select next PAF chief

MANILA, Philippines - The military’s Board of Generals (BOG) has started the selection process for the successor of Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief Lt. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz, who will retire from the service this month.

Sources believe the selection of the next PAF commanding general was one of the matters discussed by BOG members during a meeting last week.

The BOG consists of the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff, the vice chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff and the heads of the Army, PAF and the Navy.

Dela Cruz, a member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’80, will hang up his uniform on April 30.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado, the Armed Forces deputy chief for plans and programs, is said to be a strong contender for the post. He is a graduate of PMA Class ’82 and was a member of the Presidential Security Group of former President Corazon Aquino.

Sources said other officers who are qualified for the post include Maj. Gen. Nicanor Vivar, chief of the Air Force’s 3rd division based in Zamboanga City and a classmate of Delgado; Lt. Gen. Virgilio Domingo, the deputy chief of staff and a member of PMA Class ’81; and Maj. Gen. Edgar Fallorina, PAF chief of staff and a graduate of Class ’83.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. could not say who among the PAF officials have strong chances to succeed Dela Cruz.

He noted that the BOG would submit a shortlist of candidates to President Aquino through Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

“The President, as the commander-in-chief, will decide on the recommendation,” Tutaan said.