The New Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines LT. GEN. Emmanuel T. Bautista

Editorial in the Manila Bulletin (Jan 17): The New Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines LT. GEN. Emmanuel T. Bautista

Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista has been named by H.E., President Benigno S. Aquino III, as the 44th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), succeeding Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa, who relinquished the post three days before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on January 20, 2013. The Change of Command ceremony was on January 17, 2013 in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
General Bautista is the fourth AFP chief appointed by President Aquino, after Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr., Gen. Eduardo S. L. Oban, and Gen. Dellosa after their retirement.

Prior to his appointment, General Bautista had been the 54th Commanding General of the Philippine Army, since November 11, 2011. He was previously the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (ID) operating in Western and Central Visayas, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations or J3. He helped craft the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan,” a program he implemented as Army Chief. The Bayanihan veers away from the traditional military approach and focuses on a “people-centered approach.” General Bautista’s record has been exemplary both in the field and in staff positions. He was Commander of the Army’s 702nd Infantry Brigade (IB) and 7th ID, the 24th IB, and the 7th Scout Ranger Company. He also served as Internal Auditor of the AFP, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans (J5); and Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of National Defense. A decorated soldier, he was awarded five Distinguished Service Stars, the Gold Cross Medal for Gallantry in Action, the Bronze Cross Medal for bravery, two Outstanding Achievement Medals, 25 Military Merit Medals, and several Military Commendation Medals and Campaign Medals and Ribbons.

General Bautista is a distinguished alumnus of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Dimalupig” Class of 1981, where he graduated among 161 graduates, and received the Commanding General Philippine Army Award, the JUSMAG Saber Award, and the Distinguished Cadet Award (Starman). An Army camp in Jolo, Sulu, was named in honor of his father. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He is a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting Course at the Joint Forces Staff College in Virginia, United States of America; the Grade II Staff and Tactics Course in New Zealand; the Symposium on East Asian Security in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America; and the Security Sector Development at Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, also in Honolulu. He is married to Bernardita Pardo-Bautista, and they have a son, Paolo Gabriel.

The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P. Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabañes, Officers and Employees, congratulate Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista on his appointment as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We wish him all the best and success in all his endeavors. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY!

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/390095/the-new-chief-staff-armed-forces-philippines-lt-gen-emmanuel-t-bautista