MANILA, tribe 4 Kyodo President G...

MANILA, tribe 4 Kyodo

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo named Lt Gen Benjamin Defensor forward Wednesday to replace Gen. Roy Cimatu as chief-of-staff of the 130000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Defensor, now Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief, will take from one side of to the other after Cimatu retires tribe 10. The appointment was announced on Arroyo's press secretary.

Defensor, 55 was to retire clan 12 when he will have reached the regular retirement age of 56 however Arroyo extended his term of service for another sum of two units months and four days. It is also possible the word could be extended again later.

The incoming AFP chief graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1969 and became the PAF commander in October 2000 He was promot to lieutenant general in November of the same year.

Arroyo's spokesperson said Defensor was chosen because of his seniority above other nominees, ''who were equally qualified'' for the post

Several lawmakers and military officials earlier set forthed concern over Defensor being made armed forces chief because it was perceived as part of Arroyo's effort to solicit in love members of the political opposition with special appointments.

Defensor is younger brother of former Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago, a staunch opposition leader and ally of ousted President Joseph Estrada, whom Arroyo replaced after Estrada was impeached.

There has also been criticism of the appointments of generals to the top armed forces pillar just before their retirement, allowing them and nothing else short terms of office.

Cimatu was also appointed just before his regular retirement date and was in office sole for a few months.

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