MANILA — Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero, Eastern Mindanao Command head, was appointed to succeed outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Eduardo Año who is retiring Thursday after reaching the mandatory military retirement age of 56.
Guerrero is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1984 while his predecessor is a member of PMA Class of 1983.
Guerrero’s appointment as the next AFP chief was formalized and approved by President Rodrigo Duterte in a letter to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana last Wednesday.
“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 of AFP Board of Generals, pursuant to Republic Act No. 8186, as amended by Republic Act No. 9188, the designation of Lt. General Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero 0-8951 ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES as Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice General Eduardo M. Año 0-8678 is hereby APPROVED effective October 25, 2017,” the Chief Executive said.
Turn over ceremonies will take place at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City around 3 p.m. with Pres. Duterte as the guest-of-honor.
Aside from heading the EMC, Guerrero also commanded the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division in Jamindan, Capiz, the 701st Infantry Brigade in Davao Oriental, Task Force Davao.
Guerrero graduated among the top three of his PMA Class. He is also is a recipient of the Legion of Honor, Bronze Cross Medal, Distinguished Service Star and Military Merit and Commendation Medals and various letters of commendation and plaques of recognition from various non-government organizations (NGOs) and local government units. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
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