Pres. Duterte now has shortlist for next AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 5): Pres. Duterte now has shortlist for next AFP chief

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has already submitted to the Office of the President the shortlist of possible replacements for outgoing AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya who is scheduled to retire on Dec. 8.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo but said he is not in a position to reveal the names of the candidates.

"There is already a shortlist but I am not in position to divulge the names but what I heard is that the Commander-in-Chief (President Rodrigo Duterte) is now looking and studying the list (for Gen. Visaya's) possible replacement," he said in Filipino.

While all in the list are "very qualified", Arevalo said the AFP is giving the President a freehand in picking the next chief-of-staff.

"We would like to give him ample choices of successors to chose from, or options to chose from, but before we submit (the names of) possible candidates, all of them goes through a tedious process, taking into account their command experience, their assignments and experience in handling higher level command," he added.

Visaya will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Dec. 8. He will step down after 37 years of military service.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=945738