The Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jose C Faustino Jr. officially received his fourth star and was promoted to the rank of general on Thursday, October 07.
The Commander-in-Chief of the AFP, President Rodrigo Duterte personally administered the donning of rank to General Faustino during his official visit at the Bicol International Airport, Daraga, Albay.
President Duterte also donned a new rank to the Commander of the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente Bacarro in the same occasion.
“It is an honor to don these lustrous stars which carry the weight of our obligations to the country and its people. This milestone demands no less than an exemplary performance in the fulfilment of our mandate as soldiers,” said General Faustino.
The appointment of General Faustino and five (5) other AFP Officers has been approved by President Duterte effective September 15, 2021.
General Faustino took over the AFP leadership from General Cirilito Sobejana who bowed out from military service on July 31 after reaching the mandatory retirement age.
Prior to his assumption as the 56th Chief of Staff, General Faustino was the Commander of the Joint Task Force Mindanao and has also served as the Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988.
The AFP Chief has likewise held various military positions such as Battalion and Brigade Commander in Western Mindanao and Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command among others.
The traditional Military Honors will be accorded to General Faustino today, October 8 at the AFP General Headquarters, Quezon City.
“With the help of the hardworking men and women of the AFP, rest assured that the military’s tradition of excellence and professionalism is continuously upheld,” the AFP Chief stated. (Photos by SN1 Viluan PN/PAO (AFP)-rir
