Felimon Santos Jr.

Felimon Talusan Santos Jr. is a retired Filipino general who served as the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Prior to his appointment, he served as the commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, and the 7th Infantry Division. He is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.[1]

Retired General

Felimon T. Santos Jr.

AFP
53rd Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
4 January 2020 – 3 August 2020
PresidentRodrigo Duterte
Preceded byGen. Noel Clement
Succeeded byGen. Gilbert Gapay
Personal details
Born (1964-08-04) August 4, 1964
San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines
Alma materPhilippine Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance Philippines
Branch/servicePhilippine Army
Years of service1986 - 2020
Rank General
UnitChief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
AFP Eastern Mindanao Command
7th Infantry Division
Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2
Army Civil Military Operations Regiment
Army Intelligence & Security Group
11th Intelligence Service Unit
Chief Military Personnel Officer, UNDOF
703rd Infantry Brigade, 7 ID
63rd Infantry Brigade, 8 ID
Battles/warsMoro conflict
CPP-NPA-NDF rebellion
UNDOF, Golan Heights
Battle of Marawi

Background

He was born on August 3, 1964 at San Rafael, Bulacan. He attended the Philippine Military Academy in 1982 and graduated in 1986 as part of the "Sinagtala" Class, and attended major courses in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College and abroad, such as the Scout Ranger Course, the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Law of Armed Conflict and Human Right and International Law Training, the United Nations Military Observer and Staff Course in Ireland, the Comptroller Officer Basic Course, and the Command and General Staff Course. He holds a Master's degree in Management at the Philippine Christian University.

A seasoned intelligence officer, with his commands ranging from Infantry, Scout Rangers, Intelligence and Field Artillery, he started his junior days as a platoon officer, executive officer and company commander at the 39th Infantry Battalion, 10 ID.[2]

He also served as the Chief Military Personnel Officer for Filipino Peacekeepers in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Golan Heights, and led the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based in Davao, and served as the Assistant Chief of Unified Command for Operations, U3 of the AFP Central Command.

He also served as the commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division, Assistant Commander of the 6th Infantry Division, Commander and Group Commander of the Philippine Army Intelligence and Security Group and Commander of the Philippine Army Civil Military Operations Regiment.

During his stint as Commander of the Philippine Army Intelligence and Security Group, he was involved the capture of Benito and Wilma Tiamzon of the Communist Party of the Philippines in 2014. He became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2 in November 2016 to October 2017, where he was involved the arrest of Abu Sayyaf finance officer Khair Mundos.[3] He also led intelligence operations against the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu Province, and served in during the Battle of Marawi.

He became the commander of the 7th Infantry Division from October 2017 to January 2019, became the commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command from January 2019 to January 2020, before being promoted as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on January 4, 2020, and obtained his fourth star, as well as promoted to the rank of General on January 27, 2020.[4] On June 19, 2020, the position of Chief of Staff was renamed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

He retired from military service on August 3, 2020, where he was replaced by his classmate, Gen. Gilbert Gapay.[5]

Awards and decorations

Personal life

He is married to Margie Fe G. Santos, a native from Cotabato Province and a licensed nurse and businesswoman, and they have 2 daughters.

On March 27, 2020, he has tested positive for COVID-19.[6][7][8][9] As of March 27, 2020, he is the 4th highest ranking Philippine Government official to have been infected with the SARS-CoV2 including Senator Zubiri, Senator Angara and Senator Pimentel.

References
  1. Gotinga, J. C. "Veteran intelligence officer Felimon Santos Jr is new military chief". Rappler. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  2. Arguillas, Carolyn O. (4 January 2020). "For the 5th time, the Armed Forces Chief of staff is from EastMinCom". MindaNews. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  3. Andrade, Jeannette I. "New AFP chief Santos a noted 'hunter' of Reds, Abu Sayyaf". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  4. Mangosing, Frances. "AFP chief Santos gets 4th star". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  5. https://mb.com.ph/2020/07/29/army-chief-lt-gen-gilbert-gapay-is-next-afp-chief-of-staff/
  6. "Armed Forces Chief tests positive for COVID-19". cnn. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  7. "AFP chief Santos tested positive for COVID-19 - Lorenzana". GMA News. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  8. "Military chief has COVID-19, says Defense secretary". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  9. "AFP Chief of Staff positive for COVID-19". Manila Bulletin. March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
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