President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Army commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana as the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to succeed General Gilbert Gapay, Malacanang said. “We are confident that General Sobejana will continue to modernize our military and undertake reform initiatives to make the Armed Forces truly professional in its mandate as the protector of the people and the State,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Secretary Roque said. Gapay will reach the military’s mandatory age of retirement of 56 on February 4. “We wish General Sobejana all the best in his new tour of duty as we pray for his success,” Roque said.

Barcelo, V. (2021, January 28). Incoming AFP chief well-versed in Chinese incursions in WPS. Manila Standard, pp. A1, A2.