INCUMBENT Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) commander Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal is considered as one of the contenders to be the next Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff.

CSAFP General Carlito Galvez Jr. confirmed in an interview Tuesday, November 13, that Madrigal is one of the officers being eyed to take his post.

“I will suspend (my comment) because it is the prerogative of the President. But I believe the President knows the caliber of commander [Madrigal],” he said. “He is one of the contenders.”

Galvez, meanwhile, lauded the accomplishments of Eastmincom under the watch of Madrigal which has led to the significant reduction of the strength of the communist groups under his area of responsibility.

“This is very significant even the President is very happy and they know that General Madrigal is really performing very well,” Galvez said.

On December 12, Galvez will take his mandatory retirement. He assumed office last April 18 this year where he replaced former chief of staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero.

Prior to his appointment as AFP cheif of staff, Galvez was the commander of Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) based in Zamboanga City. During the siege in Marawi City, their unit was responsible for the victory of the government over the Isis-inspired local terrorist group and the killing of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader Isnilon Hapilon and Maute brother.