Highest military officer in the armed forces of the philippines

The Philippine military chief vowed to protect the country from threats including Islamic State militants in the south as he was elevated to the rank of full general Wednesday, making him the country’s highest-ranking military officer.

Gen. Gilbert Gapay’s promotion to four-star general during a ceremony in Manila was expected after he was appointed to head the 125,000-strong Armed Forces of the Philippines in August. The elevation to the rank of general from lieutenant general is standard for anyone who occupies the country’s top military post. Before his appointment, Gapay had served as army chief since December 2019.

“We remain dedicated to the performance of our mandate. This achievement is a realization of not only the sacrifices which we have already made, but also of the obligations we have yet to fulfill for our country and its people,” he said Wednesday.

“I am hopeful that the military will continue working collectively to provide a secure and peaceful environment for every Filipino,” said Gapay, who graduated at the top of the 1986 class from the elite Philippine Military Academy.

Gapay also said that his top priority as military chief would be to crush Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf militants and other terror groups operating in the country.

He said that 55 Abu Sayyaf members were killed from January to September this year – 15 of them in clashes in September – while 17 had surrendered. In the same period, at least 28 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) fighters were killed, 134 surrendered and 20 were captured, he said.

The armed forces will “sustain their momentum against the terror group ASG [Abu Sayyaf] and other local terrorist groups,” Gapay said.

“We will not tolerate any attempt to sow violent ideologies and will make use of all available technologies to put an end to the spread of violent extremism.”

Apart from the Abu Sayyaf Group, Gapay said the military was also targeting other extremist groups linked with Islamic State (IS) such as BIFF and surviving militants from the Maute Group who took over the southern city of Marawi for five months in 2017. The takeover by pro-IS militants unleashed a five-month battle with government forces that left more than 1,200 combatants and civilians dead.

“These local terrorists who operate in the south continue to embrace the Daesh narrative and assimilate its barbarism in the guise of religion,” Gapay said, using another name for IS.

“But the peace-loving Filipinos already reject this Daesh violence and have extended their full support to the government and the AFP in its fight against terrorists.”

Gapay, 55, took over as armed forces chief at a time when the country is facing numerous challenges from extremist groups.

In August, two female suicide bombers deployed by the Abu Sayyaf left 15 people dead in the southern Jolo Island, more than a year after an Indonesian couple blew themselves in the same area, killing 23.

Abu Sayyaf militants last week killed one of five Indonesian fishermen they had abducted in January, and security forces have begun a manhunt in the far south to retrieve the four others.

Security forces are also on the hunt for Abu Sayyaf militants in the south, including a faction loyal to the IS led by Hatib Hajan Sawadjaan, who is believed to be working with foreign suicide bombers.

Basahin sa Filipino

Introduction

Established by virtue of Army Circular No. 60 on July 3, 1947, the Philippine Legion of Honor is the oldest of the three Senior Honors of the Republic. It is the Order of Defense Merit of the Philippines. Its highest rank, that of Chief Commander, is the highest honor that the President of the Philippines may grant an individual without the concurrence of Congress.

The Philippine Legion of Honor is awarded by the President of the Philippines. It may also be awarded by the Secretary of National Defense on behalf of the President.

Originally, the Philippine Legion of Honor had four ranks, called degrees, with Legionnaire as the lowest and Chief Commander as the highest and most prestigious. However, on September 19, 2003, the ranks of the Philippine Legion of Honor were expanded to six. This only applies to civilian awards, as the Armed Forces retains only four ranks, called degrees, for the Philippine Legion of Honor.

Recipients conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor may be reawarded the same rank or degree. In such cases, following military practice, a bronze Anahaw leaf is conferred each time the award is reconferred, in lieu of an actual medal.

Criteria

Recipients of the Philippine Legion of Honor may be Filipino citizens or foreigners. It is awarded for meritorious service in military or defense affairs or for contributions to the preservation of the honor of the Republic of the Philippines. It is conferred upon civilians for military or defense service or for life achievement in public service. In the military it is conferred upon personnel who have performed exceptionally in the conduct of their duties.

Highest military officer in the armed forces of the philippines

Ranks

Civilian ranks were instituted by virtue of Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003 and Military Degrees were instituted by virtue of AFPR G 131-053, s-86. The following table shows the distinction between civilian ranks and military degrees:

Rank/Degree Conferred on:
 Chief Commander Civilian: For life achievement in public service not otherwise qualifying for the Quezon Service Cross; or upon a former or incumbent head of state and/or of government.Military: Chief of State, Prime Minister, Head of Government
 Grand Commander Civilian: For singular acts of service with a tangible impact on the Philippine military sphere; or upon a Crown Prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice or the equivalent, foreign minister or other official of cabinet rank; or upon an Ambassador, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.
 Grand Officer Civilian: For acts of exemplary merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Charge d’affaires, e.p., Minister, Minister Counselor, Consul General heading a consular post, Executive Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.
 Commander Civilian: For acts of conspicuous merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Charge d’affaires, a.i., Counselor, First Secretary, Consul General in the consular section of an Embassy, Consular officer with a personal rank higher than Second Secretary, Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.Military: Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Commanders of Major Services, President of the Senate, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Heads of Departments
 Officer Civilian: For acts of commendable merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Second Secretary, Consul, Assistant Director, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.Military: Military Personnel not qualifying for a Distinguished Service Star.
 Legionnaire Civilian: For acts of merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines; or upon a Third Secretary, Vice Consul, Attaché, Principal Assistant, or other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing.Military: Military Personnel for meritorious conduct but lesser than the degree of Officer of more than the Military Medal of Merit

Roster of awardees:

Rank of Chief Commander

Roxas administration

Name Position Date
Franklin D. Roosevelt (posthumous) Former U.S. President July 4, 1947

Quirino administration

Name Position Date
Generalissimo Chiang-Kai-Shek President of Taiwan 1949
Achmed Soekarno President of Indonesia February 3, 1951
Generalissimo Francisco Franco Head of the Spanish State October 7, 1951

Magsaysay administration

Name Position Date
Maxwell Tailor U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1955

Garcia Administration

Name Position Date
Emilio Aguinaldo Former President July 3, 1957
Jose P. Laurel Former President March 9, 1959
Douglas MacArthur Philippine Field Marshal 1961
Dwight D. Eisenhower Former President of the United States April 9, 1961

Marcos administration

Name Position Date
Ferdinand E. Marcos President September 11, 1972
Imelda Romualdez Marcos First Lady

Corazon Aquino administration

Name Position Date
Lorenzo Tañada Senator, Jurist, Parliamentarian and Statesman August 10, 1986
Claudio Teehankee Chief Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines April 21, 1988
Joaquin “Chino” Roces Publisher October 5, 1988
Jaime Cardinal Sin Archbishop of Manila 1992

Ramos Administration

Name Position Date
Sergio Osmeña President of the Philippines October 20, 1994
Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Sultan of Brunei Darussalam March 5, 1998

Arroyo Administration

Name Position Date
Akihito Emperor of Japan December 3, 2002
Delfin N. Bangit Former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines June 22, 2010

Benigno S. Aquino III Administration

Name Position Date
Stephen J. Solarz United States Senator December 10, 2010
Teodoro C. Benigno Journalist February 26, 2011
Fr. James B. Reuter, S.J. Jesuit February 26, 2011
Gen. Ricardo A. David, Jr. Former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines March 7, 2011
Jesus V. Ayala Industrialist April 30, 2011
Eduardo SL Oban, Jr. Former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines December 12, 2011
Jesse M. Robredo{{1}} Secretary of the Interior and Local Government August 28, 2012
Hilary Rodham Clinton United States Secretary of State January 16, 2013
Gregorio P. Catapang Former Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines July 10, 2015

Rank of Grand Commander

Arroyo Administration

Name Position Date
Emilio T. Yap Chairman of Manila Bulletin October 6, 2006
Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr. Secretary of National Defense November 16, 2009
Jaime Zobel de Ayala Chairman of the Help Educate and Rear Orphans Foundation December 24, 2009

Benigno S. Aquino III Administration

Name Position Date
Napoleon G. Rama Constitutional Commissioner February 26, 2011

Rank of Grand Officer

Arroyo Administration

Name Position Date
Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. Representative February 7, 2002

Rank of Commander

Roxas Administration

Name Position Date
Tomas Confesor Guerrilla leader

Quirino Administration

Name Position Date
Myron Cowen U.S Ambassador November 11, 1951
Paul V. McNutt First U.S. Ambassador May 27, 1952
Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. Governor/Guerrilla leader 1952

Magsaysay Administration

Name Position Date
Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Journalist 1954
J. E. Hull Commander-in-Chief United Nations Command 1955

Garcia Administration

Name Position Date
Wendell Switzer Rear Admiral April 15, 1957
R. McCoullough Dick Publisher, Philippines Free Press August 7, 1958
Theo Rogers Business Manager, Philippines Free Press August 7, 1958
Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. (first Bronze Anahaw leaf) Presidential Assistant 1958
Narciso Ramos Diplomat (for guerrilla services) February 11, 1959
Alfredo Lozano July 15, 1960

Marcos Administration

Name Position Date
Walter Schirra, Jr. American astronaut March 6, 1966
Frank Borman American astronaut March 6, 1966
Marvin McNickle Lieutenant General August 14, 1972
Juan Ponce Enrile Secretary Of National Defense December 21, 1974
Radin S. Subyakto Chief of Staff, Indonesian Navy January 30, 1976
Ro Jae Hyun Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Republic of Korea February 26, 1976
J.N. Irwin II U.S. Ambassador

Aquino Administration

Name Position Date
Juan Ponce Enrile (first bronze Anahaw leaf) Sec. of National Defense November 27, 1986
Jaime Ferrer (posthumous) Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways August 7, 1987
Roberto Villanueva Chairman, Coordinating Council of the Philippine Assistance Program May 23, 1990
Catalino Macaraig Executive Secretary December 26, 1990
Washington Sycip Businessman, SGV Group June 30, 1991
June Kiethley Journalist
Dr. Mita Pardo de Tavera Secretary of Health
Jose B. Laurel, Jr. Former Speaker July 19, 1991
Jose de Jesus Cabinet Secretary June, 1992
Jesus Estanislao Secretary of Finance July 19, 1991
Renato de Villa Secretary of Defense
Franklin Drilon Executive Secretary 1992
Fidel V. Ramos (Second Bronze Anahaw Leaf) Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces March 18, 1988
Fidel V. Ramos (Third Bronze Anahaw Leaf) Secretary of National Defense July 19, 1991

Ramos Administration

Name Position Date
Eufemio Domingo Commissioner-COA June 30, 1993
Carlos P. Romulo (posthumous) Brig. General, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs October 20, 1994
Lt. Gen. Rafael Ileto Secretary of National Defense October 20, 1994
Col. Ruperto Kangleon (posthumous) Guerrilla leader October 20, 1994
Dir. Gen. Recaredo Sarmiento Director-General of the Philippine National Police 1998
Bob Filner Member US Congress April 9, 1998
Alexander Aguirre Executive Secretary May 13, 1998
Feliciano Gacis Undersecretary of the Dept. of National Defense May 13, 1998
Eduardo R. Ermita AFP Vice Chief of Staff March 31, 1988
Juanita Amatong Chairperson of Philippine Panel of the Sub-Committee on Economics and Finance June 5, 1998

Estrada Administration

Name Position Date
Joseph W. Prueher Admiral, United States Navy January 12, 1999

Arroyo Administration

Name Position Date
Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. Director-General, PNP August 24, 2004
Nemesio Sigaya Maj. Gen. PAF November 11, 2004
Thomas Boulton Fargo Commander, United States Pacific Command and Co-Chairman of the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Treaty February 9, 2005
Angelo Reyes Former Armed Forces Chief of Staff March 17, 2001
Benjamin J. Cayetano Governor of Hawaii October 24, 2002
Benjamin R. Mixon Commander, United States Army January 26, 2010
Delfin N. Bangit Former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces June 11, 2010
Arturo C. Lomibao Chief of the Philippine National Police July 5, 2006
Hermogenes C. Esperon Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces May 9, 2008
Generoso S. Senga Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces July 21, 2006
Tan Sri Dato Sri Azizan Bin Ariffin General of the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces December 15, 2009
Victor S. Ibrado Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces March 10, 2010
Jesus A. Verzosa Chief of the Philippine National Police June 15, 2010
Rodolfo C. Garcia Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces July 12, 2004
Victor S. Ibrado Commanding General of the Philippine Army May 3, 2009
Dato’ Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin Head of Mission, International Monitoring Fund December 7, 2005
Nemensio Sigaya Major General of the Philippine Air Force November 11, 2004

Benigno S. Aquino III Administration

Name Position Date
Jesus A. Verzosa (First Bronze Anahaw Leaf) Chief of the Philippine National Police September 14, 2010
Danilo Cortez Philippine Navy Flag Officer January 4, 2011
William M. Esposo Columnist February 26, 2011
Reynaldo Mapagu Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces June 17, 2011
Raul M. Bacalzo Chief of the Philippine National Police September 9, 2011
Arturo B. Ortiz Commanding General of the Philippine Army November 9, 2011
Oscar H. Rabena Chief of the Philippine Air Force January 10, 2012
Nicanor Ancheta Bartolome Director-General of the Philippine National Police December 18, 2012
Jessie D. Dellosa Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines January 17, 2013
Hernando Delfin Carmelo A. Iriberri Commanding General of the Philippine Army July 15, 2015
Leonardo A. Espina Deputy Director General of the Philippine National Police July 16, 2015
Jesus C. Millan Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy August 10, 2015

Rank of Officer

Quirino Administration

Name Position Date
Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Journalist 1950
William A. Dolan Captain, US Navy February 13, 1951
Harvey Woods Lieutenant, US Navy February 13, 1951
Frank Snyder Lieutenant Colonel February 16, 1951
Congdon Curts Major April 30. 1952
William K. Clark Major April 30, 1952
Lecher O. Grice Brigadier General, AUS August 27, 1952
Howard L. Peckham Brigadier General, AUS August 27, 1952
H. Arnold Karo United States Navy

Magsaysay Administration

Name Position Date
Alex E. Lancaster Lieutenant Colonel, USA March 24, 1954
Walter Williams Captain, USN March 24, 1954
Manalao Mindalano March 24, 1954

Marcos Administration

Name Position Date
Philip Sears Colonel, USA July 17, 1972

Aquino Administration

Name Position Date
Alex Esclamado Published and Editor-in-Chief, Philippine News Canada May 9, 1989
Proceso Hernandez Commodore 0-4396 AFP September 17, 1990
Tereso Isleta Brigadier General 0-4689 AFP September 17, 1990
Arturo Enrile Brigadier General 0-4610 AFP September 17, 1990
Ernesto Calupig Brigadier General 0-4558 AFP September 17, 1990
Orlando Soriano Brigadier General 0-4659 AFP September 17, 1990
Bayani Matic Commodore 0-4545 AFP September 17, 1990
Juanito Aquino Brigadier General 0-4552 AFP September 17, 1990
Pablo Galvez Colonel 0-4595 PA GSC September 17, 1990
Manuel Mariano Colonel 0-4617 PA GSC September 17, 1990

Ramos Administration

Name Position Date
Joaquin Roces Editor-in-Chief, Manila Times June 30, 1998
Samilo Barlongay Commissioner-CSC June 30, 1993
Aqlani Maza General September 2, 1997
Juanita Dy-Amatong Undersecretary of the Department of Finance May 13, 1998
Nabil Tan Vice-Governor, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao May 13, 1998
Rudy Rodil Professor, Mindanao State University May 13, 1998
Apolinario Lozada Appointments Secretary June 23, 1998
Norman Legaspi Lt. Col. June 23, 1998
Major Renoir Pascua Special Assistant to the President June 23, 1998
William Padolina Secretary of Science and Technology June 23, 1998
Victor Ramos Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources June 23, 1998
Gregorio Vigilar Secretary of Public Works and Highways June 23, 1998
Francisco Viray Secretary of Energy June 23, 1998
Renato Valencia Administrator of the Social Security System June 23, 1998
Raul S. Manglapus Chairman, Philippine National Oil Company June 23, 1998
Delfin Lazaro Secretary of Energy June 23, 1998

Estrada Administration

Name Position Date
William Padolina Secretary of Science and Technology February 1, 1999
Efren “Bata” Reyes Professional Billiards Player August 31, 1999

Arroyo Administration

Name Position Date
Vidad Erfe Querol Chief Superintendent, PNP February 7, 2002
Alfonso Dagudag Major General March 23, 2002
Alejandro T. Camagay, Jr. Commander of the Philippine Air force February 18, 2010
Felipe G. Tabas, Jr. Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines May 28, 2010
Felizardo M Serapio, Jr. Director of Western Mindanao, Philippine National Police January 11, 2010
Nelson L. Allaga Commander of the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines July 16, 2009
Pedro Ike I. Inserto Commander of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines January 21, 2009
Jaime B. Buenafo Commander of the National Development Support Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines November 6, 2009
Jogy Leo L. Fojas Commander of the National Capital Region of the Armed Forces of the Philippines November 2, 2009
Reynaldo B. Mapagu Commanding General of the Philippine Army March 23, 2009
Mario A. Catacutan Rear Admiral and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines April 8, 2010
Arthur P. Macenido Commander of the Air Logistics Command March 12, 2010
Ralph A. Villanueva Commander of the 7th Division of the Philippine Army March 22, 2010
Nathaniel C. Legaspi Major-General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines June 3, 2010
Nelson L. Allaga Lieutenant-General of the Armed Forces of the Philippines June 3, 2010
Ramon T. Punzalan Rear Admiral, Philippine Navy July 16, 2009

Benigno S. Aquino III Administration

Name Position Date
Francisco Cruz Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Gaudencio Pangilinan Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Vicente Agdamag Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Geronimo Defensor Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Roberto Estioko Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Eriberto Suria Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Hilario Atendido Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Romulo Supapo Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Leonardo Calderon Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Ramon Espera Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Antonio Oliquino Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Vicente Porto Armed Forces of the Philippines June 17, 2011
Romeo Lustestica Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Jovencio Magalso Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Emmanuel Bautista Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Romeo Lustestica Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Datuk Baharom Bin Hamzah Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Gaudencio Pangilinan Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Artemio Orozco Armed Forces of the Philippines July 20, 2011
Oscar Lactao Armed Forces of the Philippines December 18, 2014
Alexander Balutan Armed Forces of the Philippines December 18, 2014

Rank of Legionnaire

Roxas Administration

Name Position Date
Teodoro M. Locsin guerrilla March 5, 1947
Lorenzo M. Tañada guerrilla March 5, 1947
Jose B.L. Reyes guerrilla March 5, 1947
Rafael Roces (posthumous) guerrilla March 5, 1947

Quirino Administration

Name Position Date
10 U.S. Servicemen February 16, 1951
John A. Renninger Corporal April 30, 1952
Oscar Johnson, Jr Corporal April 30, 1952
James N. McElroy Corporal April 30, 1952
Ralph E. Haukins Sergeant April 30, 1952
Henry E. Ambrose Sergeant April 30, 1952
Kenneth I. Withey SFC April 30, 1952
Edith Nourse Rogers Nurse June 10, 1953
Francis Turner Headed rehabilitation of Philippine roads, 1946 1951

Magsaysay Administration

Name Position Date
Maria Tojale Resistance member March 24, 1954
Valeriano Ibanez Abello Resistance member 1956

Garcia Administration

Name Position Date
Geronima Pecson Resistance member April 9, 1958
Concepcion M. Trias Resistance member April 9, 1958
Ruby Roxas Resistance member April 9, 1958
Maria Carmen G. Ford Resistance member April 9, 1958
Carmen Sapinoso de Rivera Resistance member April 9, 1958
Conchita Liboro Benitez Resistance member April 9, 1958
Betty Magalona Gomez Resistance member April 9, 1958
Fanny Adarna Resistance member April 9, 1958
Conchita Sunico Resistance member April 9, 1958
Lourdes Alunan Resistance member April 9, 1958

Ramos Administration

Name Position Date
Yusuf Ashral Tugung June 30, 1993
Richard Sakakida Lieutenant Colonel, USA April 15, 1994
Luis Morales Vice Chairman, National Centennial Commission June 23, 1998

Arroyo Administration

Name Position Date
Fighter Squadron 201 of the Mexican Expeditionary Air Force (Unit Citation) Fought in Liberation of the Philippines, 1944-45 November 22, 2004

[[1]] Read the President’s citation for Secretary Robredo.[[1]]

Basahin sa Filipino

What is the highest military rank in the Philippines?

These three major services are unified under the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) who normally holds the rank of General/Admiral.

Who is the chief of military in Philippines?

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Incumbent LTGEN Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, PA since August 8, 2022
Reports to
Secretary of National Defense President of the Philippines
Seat
Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City
Appointer
The President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › Chief_of_Staff_of_the_Armed_Forces_of_the_P...null

Who is the 5 star general in the Philippines?

Philippines. Under the Article VII Section 18 of the constitution, the President holds the position of the Commander-in-Chief, which is considered and recognized to be a five-star rank.