ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Noel Clement is now a four-star general.

Clement received his fourth star in a donning of ranks ceremony held on Wednesday, October 30, at the Department of National Defense office in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

His promotion to the rank of general came a month after his appointment to the highest military post on September 24.

Clement, who was born in Lipa, Batangas, is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Sandiwa class of 1985.

He held various positions including the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the AFP General Headquarters, where he assisted the Chief of Staff in formulating, evaluating, analyzing and reviewing plans, programs and policies pertaining to operations, organizational development, deployment of forces, and strategic campaign of the AFP from September 2016 to May 2017.

Prior to his assumption as commander of the Cebu-based AFP Central Command in November 2018, he was the commander of the 10th Infantry (AGILA) Division, where he assisted the stakeholders in creating a just and peaceful environment conducive to sustainable development in the area of responsibility.

When he assumed as chief of staff, he said he will have a “participative form of leadership” where he will engage his men, particularly the commanders in implementing the programs of the AFP.

He assured his men that he will “always be willing to listen” before he would make any decision for the organization. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)