President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philippine Army commander Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana as the next chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacañang announced on Wednesday.

“The Palace confirms that LGEN Cirilito Sobejana will be the next Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement sent to Palace reporters.

Sobejana is set to replace AFP chief-of-staff Gilbert Gapay who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Feb. 4.

Roque said the Palace believes in Sobejana’s competence to lead the AFP.

“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,” he said.

Roque also wished Sobejana “all the best in his new tour of duty as we pray for his success.”

Sobejana, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Hinirang Class” of 1987, is the commanding general of the Philippine Army since July last year.

He also commanded the Joint Task Force Sulu, the Maguindanao-based 6th Infantry Division, and the Western Mindanao Command.

Sobejana is also a recipient of the Medal of Valor, the country’s highest military award that is equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor of the United States.

He earned his Medal of Valor in 1995 after leading the fight with an estimated 150 Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Isabela town in Basilan despite sustaining crippling wounds in the encounter.

Meanwhile, the AFP welcomed Sobejana’s appointment as its next chief.

“Lt. Gen. Sobejana, the incumbent Commanding General of the Philippine Army, epitomizes the finest in Filipino soldiery. He earned the Medal of Valor (MOV)—the highest military award that can be bestowed to a soldier for conspicuous and singular act of gallantry above and beyond the call of duty,” military spokesperson, Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.

Arevalo stressed that Sobejana has an impressive track record as a military officer and has a vast experience in command and leadership.

“He is known to his superiors, peers, and subordinates as a warrior with the heart of a peacemaker,” he added. He is the pride of PMA ‘Hinirang’ Class of 1987 — the class with three Medal of Valor recipients — and the first AFP chief who garnered the MOV,” he added. (PNA)