The Philippine Air Force has a new commanding general with the appointment Wednesday by President Duterte of Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano D. Briguez.
Briguez replaces Lt. Gen. Galileo Gerard R. Kintanar.
AFP Public Affairs chief Col. Noel Detoyato said that Kintanar, who was appointed as PAF chief in October 2017, was not relieved due to corruption. He said Kintanar had to give way to give a junior officer for the professional growth of the organization.
“There is no issue of corruption whatsoever, it is for the professional growth of the whole organization,” Detoyato said. “No, he is not relieved for corruption. It’s just a, to give way for the junior officers. That’s how professional and dynamic the organization is,” he added.
Detoyato said Briguez, who is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, is one of the intellectuals of his class. “He is very soft spoken and approachable,” Detoyato said.
Detoyato added Kintanar, who is set to retire from the military service in January 2020, could opt for early retirement or be appointed to a position fitting his rank.
Kintanar is a member of Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” Class of 1985.
Duterte confirmed the appointment of Briguez in a letter addressed to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana dated Dec. 5, 2018. (Francis T. Wakefield)
