Gapay gets fourth star

MANILA, Philippines — More than two months after he was appointed as the top military official, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Gilbert Gapay was promoted to a four-star general yesterday.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana led the donning of ranks ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, which was attended by Gapay’s family, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr. and other senior military officers.

The AFP said President Duterte approved the promotion of Gapay on Sept. 2.

He took over as AFP chief on Aug. 3 following the retirement of Gen. Felimon Santos Jr.

Gapay, who graduated valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1986, previously served as commanding general of the Philippine Army.

He has outlined four areas of priorities in the AFP: operational effectiveness, organizational efficiency, personnel development and well-being and stakeholders’ collaboration.