Kakilala is new AFP spokesperson

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 5): Kakilala is new AFP spokesperson

Brig. Gen. Joselito E. Kakilala formally assumed his new post as spokesperson of the 120,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Thursday.

He replaced Col. Restituto F. Padilla, Jr., during short ceremonies at the Del Pilar Lounge at AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Kakilala, who recently assumed command of the Civil Relations Service, will join the ranks of CRS commanders who also served as AFP spokespersons.

Among them are retired Generals Honesto M. Isleta, Oscar M. Florendo, Victor U. Garcia, Alexander B. Yano, and Jose Z. Mabanta.

AFP spokespersons are usually general or flag officers who serve in concurrent capacity.

The designation of the new CRS commander as new spokesperson is consistent with the realignment of assignments in the AFP aimed at facilitating a more proactive posture on public affairs, public information and civil-military relations.

AFP chief-of-staff General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr., has commended Padilla for his splendid job as a spokesperson.

For three months, Padilla successfully articulated the AFP’s messages to the public on burning issues including the military's challenges in social media, the rescue of Abu Sayyaf hostages, Sulu and Basilan military operations, the Papal Visit, and the Mamasapano encounter.

Padilla was appointed as AFP spokesperson in December following the retirement of Major Gen. Domingo Tutaan, Jr., and in addition to a primary designation last year as Assistant J-7.

He will now work full-time as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, J-7, the office that leads the formulation of strategies, policies, and plans for all Civil Military Operations of the AFP and a critical staff of the AFP's IPSP "Bayanihan."

Prior to his current post, he was the Philippine Liaison to the United States Pacific Command in Hawaii and received the US Defense Meritorious Service Medal for his work in planning and execution of Philippine-US military programs under the MDB-SEB.

Kakilala is expected to feel comfortable in his new assigned task, having served as spokesperson in the Philippine Army in 2003.

He also earned valuable field experience as commander of the 48th Infantry Battalion and 903rd Infantry Brigade.

Kakilala, an awardee of The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in 2008, also received the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in 2011 and the Award for Continuing Excellence and Service in 2014.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=741609