President Duterte has appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines-Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr. as the new AFP chief of staff.
In a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana Wednesday, the Chief Executive said that he has received his letter of endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of outgoing AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who is also the chairperson of the AFP Board of Generals, he has approved the designation of Madrigal as the 50th AFP chief.
“Dear Secretary Lorenzana: I wish to inform you that per your letter-endorsement and in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chairman, AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act No.8186, as amended by Republic Act No. 9188, the designation of Lieutenant General Benjamin R. Madrigal Junior 0-9288 Armed Forces of the Philippines as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice Gen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr. 0-9267 AFP is hereby approved effective Dec. 12, 2018,” Duterte said in the letter.
AFP Public Affairs Chief Col. Noel Detoyato described Madrigal as an officer “highly regarded and respected by his classmates and even by his seniors.”
“He is both an administrator and a manager. As the current Eastmincom commander, he is very adept in triad operations with his boots firmly grounded,” Detoyato said.
Prior to his appointment as chief of the Eastmincom, Madrigal was Southern Luzon Command chief.
Madrigal held key positions in the Philippine Army. He is the former commander of the 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City and was assistant division commander and later acting division commander of the 10th Infantry Division in Compostela Valley before becoming the chief of staff of the Philippine Army.
He also held major positions in the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City as Chief of War Plans Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, OJ5; Secretary Joint Staff, AFP; and Head Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff.
Madrigal is set to retire on Sept. 28, 2019. (Francis T. Wakefield)
