RetiredGeneral Felimon T. Santos Jr. | |
|---|---|
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| 53rdChief of Staff of theArmed Forces of the Philippines | |
| In office 4 January 2020 – 3 August 2020 | |
| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Gen.Noel Clement |
| Succeeded by | Gen.Gilbert Gapay |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1964-08-04)August 4, 1964 (age 61) San Rafael, Bulacan, Philippines |
| Alma mater | Philippine Military Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Army |
| Years of service | 1986–2020 |
| Rank |  General |
| Unit | Chief 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/wars | Moro conflict Communist rebellion in the Philippines UNDOF, Golan Heights Battle of Marawi |
Felimon Talusan Santos Jr. (born August 4, 1964) is a retired Filipinogeneral who served as the formerChief of Staff of theArmed Forces of the Philippines. Prior to his appointment, he served as the commander of theAFP Eastern Mindanao Command, and the7th Infantry Division. He is a graduate of thePhilippine Military Academy "Sinagtala" Class of 1986.[1]
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Santos was born on August 3, 1964, atSan Rafael, Bulacan, and came from a family of farmers. He attended thePhilippine Military Academy in 1982 and graduated in 1986 as part of the "Sinagtala" Class. He also holds aMaster's degree in Management at thePhilippine Christian University.
Santos commanded various units within the Philippine Army and the AFP, ranging from infantry,scout rangers, intelligence and field artillery units. He started his junior days as a platoon officer, executive officer and company commander at the39th Infantry Battalion, 10 ID.[2]
Santos also served as the Chief Military Personnel Officer for Filipino Peacekeepers in theUnited Nations Disengagement Observer Force inGolan Heights, and led the 11th Intelligence Service Unit based inDavao, and served as the Assistant Chief of Unified Command for Operations, U3 of theAFP Central Command.
Santos served as the commander of the 703rd Infantry Brigade of the7th Infantry Division, Assistant Commander of the6th Infantry Division, Commander and Group Commander of thePhilippine Army Intelligence and Security Group and Commander of thePhilippine 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, two of the most high-ranking officials of theCommunist Party of the Philippines in 2014. He became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2 in November 2016 to October 2017, where he earned his 2nd star and was promoted toMajor General. He was involved the arrest of Abu Sayyaf finance officer Khair Mundos.[3] He also led intelligence operations against theAbu Sayyaf inSulu Province, and during theBattle of Marawi, where he assisted the final operations against eliminating the main leaders of the terrorists who laid siege toMarawi City,Omar Maute andIsnilon Hapilon.
Santos became the commander of the7th Infantry Division from October 2017 to January 2019, became the commander of theAFP Eastern Mindanao Command from January 2019 to January 2020, where he earned his third star and was promoted toLieutenant General, before being promoted as theChief 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, but was deferred a few months later. During his term as the AFP Chief, he spearheaded the disaster response operations in the aftermath of the2020 Taal Volcano eruption and led overall medical and logistical support amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic in the country.[5][6]
Santos retired from military service on August 3, 2020, where he was replaced by his classmate,Gilbert Gapay.[7]
Left Side:
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| Badges | Combat Commander's Badge | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st row | Chief Commander,Philippine Legion of Honor | 1Outstanding Achievement Medal | ||||
| 2nd row | 6Distinguished Service Starswith one silver anahaw cluster | 2Gold Cross Medalswith one bronze anahaw cluster | 3Silver Cross Medals | |||
| 3rd row | 1 Meritorious Achievement Medal | 2 Distinguished Service Medalswith one bronze anahaw cluster | 1 Chief of Staff of the AFP Commendation Medal | |||
| 4th row | 1Gawad sa Kaunlaran | 8Bronze Cross Medals | 3Silver Wing Medal | |||
| 5th row | Military Merit Medalswith two spearhead devices, 40 overall total medals | Military Merit Medalswith four silver and one bronze anahaws, 40 overall total medals | 1Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal | |||
| 6th row | 3Military Civic Action Medals | 1st Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas Medal | 2nd Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas Medal | |||
| 7th row | 10Military Commendation Medalswith one silver and three bronze triangular devices | United Nations Service Medal | Disengagement Observer Force Ribbon with Numeral 2 Device | |||
| 8th row | 2 Long Service Medalwith two campaign stars | 2 Anti-dissidence Campaign Medalwith two campaign stars | 1 Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal | |||
| 9th row | 1 Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal | 1 Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal | Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbonwith one campaign star | |||
Right Side:
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| 1st row | Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd row | People Power I Unit Citation | People Power II Unit Citation | Martial Law Unit Citation | |||
Badges and Other Awards:
Scout Ranger Qualification Badge
AFP Command and General Staff Course Badge
Honorary Special Forces Regiment BadgeHe is married to Margie Fe G. Santos, a native ofCotabato and a licensed nurse and businesswoman, and they have two daughters.[citation needed]
On March 27, 2020, he tested positive forCOVID-19.[8]
| Commanding generals of the Philippine Revolutionary Army(1897–1901) | .svg) | |
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| Chiefs of staff of the Philippine Commonwealth Army(1935–1945) | ||
| Chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (1946–2020) |
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| Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs (2020–present) | ||
§ — Acting chief. | ||
