Military lauds appointment of Bautista as next AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 15): Military lauds appointment of Bautista as next AFP chief

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Tuesday announced it is welcoming the appointment of Army commander Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista as the AFP's 44th chief-of-staff. "We are confident that Lt.Gen. Bautista would be able to continue the current programs, initiatives and reforms being undertaken in the AFP for the fulfillment of the goals of the Internal Peace and Security Plan 'Bayanihan' and the accomplishment of its constitutional mandate," AFP spokesperson Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos, Jr., said.

Bautista will replace outgoing AFP chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa, scheduled to retire Jan. 20 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Turnover ceremonies will be held Jan. 17 at AFP headquarters in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City. "Lt.Gen. Bautista's appointment comes very timely as the implementation of the IPSP 'Bayanihan' shifts to high gear on its 3rd year of implementation. He was then the AFP deputy chief of staff for operations (J-3) in mid-2010 when he spearheaded the crafting of the IPSP Bayanihan in partnership with all the stakeholders," Burgos pointed out.

And Bautista, being the chief architect of IPSP "Bayanihan," the military spokesperson said the AFP is highly optimistic the new chief-of-staff would be able to lead and enable the organization to make vital progress and significant development which will help the organization and its partner agencies and stakeholders to achieve the shared goals of a just and lasting peace for in the country.

Bautista is the son of Brig. General Teodulfo Bautista, who was killed by Moro National Liberation Front rebels who reportedly wanted to talk peace in Sulu in 1977. An Army camp in the province is named after the elder Bautista.

The younger Bautista is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981. Bautista is also a graduate of the Joint & Combined Warfighting Course at the Joint Forces Staff College, Virginia, USA; the Grade II Staff and Tactics Course in New Zealand; as well as a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

He also commanded the 3rd Infantry Division. Bautista also distinguished himself as commander of the 702nd Infantry Brigade. Other field command duties are: commander 24th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division; Commander of the 7th Scout Ranger Company, 1st Scout Ranger Regiment; and Platoon Leader in the 26th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. These assignments exposed him to various operational areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

"We are also optimistic that with his leadership, our modernization and capability upgrade program will further take a momentous step forward in our intent to achieve a minimum credible defense posture," Burgos concluded.

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