Eastmincom chief No. 1 on list of Galvez’s possible successor

The military commander of Eastern Mindanao tops the list of possible successor to Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who is retiring next month. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday said Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, chief of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), was first on the list of officials recommended to succeed Galvez. “Because he (Madrigal) is the most senior, he is number one on the list of recommendees [of the AFP board of generals],” Lorenzana said. “[A]t least three names are submitted for the President to choose from.” The defense chief said he did not want to preempt Mr. Duterte’s announcement of his choice as the next AFP chief. “Suffice it to say, he will come from the Philippine Army,” Lorenzana said.