AFP Chief Gapay gets fourth star

From the Philippine Information Agency (Oct 8, 2020): AFP Chief Gapay gets fourth star (By Nonette N. Castillo) 

CALOOCAN CITY, Oct. 8 (PIA) -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gilbert I. Gapay has been promoted to the rank of general and received his fourth star in a donning of ranks ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 7 held at the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana administered the donning of rank to General Gapay in a ceremony attended by senior military officers led by AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio C. Collado Jr.

The general's family was also present to witness his promotion.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the appointment of the AFP Chief of Staff to the rank of general effective Sept. 02.

Gapay took over as the 54th AFP Chief on August 03, replacing General Felimon Santos Jr. who bowed out from service after reaching the mandatory retirement age.

Prior to his assumption as the AFP Chief of Staff, Gapay was the 61st Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sinagtala Class of 1986 and graduated as the batch valedictorian.

As the AFP Chief of Staff, Gapay has outlined four priority areas during his leadership namely; operational effectiveness, organizational efficiency, personnel development and well-being, and stakeholders collaboration.

Military honors was accorded to the official at the GHQ Canopy right after the donning ceremony.

“We remain dedicated to the performance of our mandate. This achievement is a realization of not only the sacrifices which we have already made, but also of the obligations we have yet to fulfill for our country and its people. I am hopeful that the AFP will continue working collectively to provide a secure and peaceful environment for every Filipino,” he said. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1055458