Felimon Santos Jr.

Last updated
Retired General
Felimon T. Santos Jr.
AFP
General Felimon T. Santos Jr.jpg
53rd Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
In office
4 January 2020 –3 August 2020

Santos was born on August 3, 1964, at San Rafael, Bulacan, and came from a family of farmers. He attended the Philippine Military Academy in 1982 and graduated in 1986 as part of the "Sinagtala" Class. He also holds a Master's degree in Management at the Philippine Christian University.

Background

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 the 39th Infantry Battalion, 10 ID. [2]

Santos 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.

Santos 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, two of the most high-ranking officials 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 earned his 2nd star and was promoted to Major General. 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 during the Battle of Marawi, where he assisted the final operations against eliminating the main leaders of the terrorists who laid siege to Marawi City, Omar Maute and Isnilon Hapilon.

Santos 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, where he earned his third star and was promoted to Lieutenant General, 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, but was deferred a few months later. During his term as the AFP Chief, he spearheaded the disaster response operations in the aftermath of the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption and led overall medical and logistical support amidst the COVID-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]

Awards and decorations

Left Side:

Combat Commander's (Kagitingan) Badge.png
PHI Legion of Honor 2003 Chief Commander BAR.svg   PHL Outstanding Achievement Medal.PNG
PHL Distinguished Service Star BAR.svg PHL Gold Cross.png Silver Cross (Philippines) Ribbon.png
Noribbon.svg Noribbon.svg Noribbon.svg
PHL Gawad Sa Kaunlaran.gif PHL Bronze Cross.gif PHL Silver Wing Medal ribbon bar.png
PHL Military Merit Medal.gif PHL Military Merit Medal.gif PHL Sagisag Ulirang Kawal.gif
PHL Military Civic Action Medal.gif Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas.jpg Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas.jpg
PHL Military Commendation.gif United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg UNDOF Ribbon bar.gif
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
AFP Long Service Medal.gif
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png
Luzon Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png
PHL Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal ribbon.png Mindanao Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal.png
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon.gif
Badges Combat Commander's Badge
1st rowChief Commander, Philippine Legion of Honor 1 Outstanding Achievement Medal
2nd row6 Distinguished Service Stars with one silver anahaw cluster2 Gold Cross Medals with one bronze anahaw cluster3 Silver Cross Medals
3rd row1 Meritorious Achievement Medal2 Distinguished Service Medals with one bronze anahaw cluster1 Chief of Staff of the AFP Commendation Medal
4th row1 Gawad sa Kaunlaran 8 Bronze Cross Medals 3 Silver Wing Medal
5th row Military Merit Medals with two spearhead devices, 40 overall total medals Military Merit Medals with four silver and one bronze anahaws, 40 overall total medals 1 Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal
6th row3 Military Civic Action Medals 1st Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas Medal2nd Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas Medal
7th row10 Military Commendation Medals with one silver and three bronze triangular devices United Nations Service Medal Disengagement Observer Force Ribbon with Numeral 2 Device
8th row2 Long Service Medal with two campaign stars2 Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal with two campaign stars1 Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal
9th row1 Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal1 Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign MedalDisaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon with one campaign star

Right Side:

Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.png
PHL People Power I Unit Citation.png PHL People Power II Unit Citation.png PHL Martial Law Unit Citation.png
1st row Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
2nd rowPeople Power I Unit CitationPeople Power II Unit CitationMartial Law Unit Citation

Badges and Other Awards:

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. After his retirement in the military, he now serves as a farmer in his family farm in San Rafael, Bulacan.[ citation needed ]

On March 27, 2020, he has tested positive for COVID-19. [8] [9] [10] [11] 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.

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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. ↑ "DILG orders Batangas LGUs to take measures amid Taal eruption". www.pna.gov.ph.
  6. ↑ "AFP gets 90% satisfaction rating in Covid-19 response survey". www.pna.gov.ph.
  7. ↑ "Army chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay is next AFP Chief of Staff". Manila Bulletin.
  8. ↑ "Armed Forces Chief tests positive for COVID-19". cnn. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  9. ↑ "AFP chief Santos tested positive for COVID-19 – Lorenzana". GMA News. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  10. ↑ "Military chief has COVID-19, says Defense secretary". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2020-03-27.
  11. ↑ "AFP Chief of Staff positive for COVID-19". Manila Bulletin. March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
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