Confirmed AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Noel Clement and PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand take oath before earning the nod of the powerful Commission on Appointments. PNA

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Noel Clement and Navy Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi’s ad interim appointment as head of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) breezed through the confirmation process at the bicameral Commission on Appointments (CA) yesterday.

The new AFP chief, who is a former Central Visayas military commander, was appointed to the post last September.

He replaced AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and is scheduled to retire on 5 January 2020.

During the deliberations of the CA committee on national defense, Clement said there is no need to extend the implementation of martial law in Mindanao as the situation there has improved significantly.

Meanwhile, Cusi’s promotion to Navy Vice Admiral from Rear Admiral likewise received the powerful body’s approval.

Recently, Clement appointed Cusi as PMA superintendent following the resignation of Lt. Gen. Ronnie Evangelista over the death of Cadet 4th class Darwin Dormitorio.

Cusi assumed his post last 1 October. Cusi also assured the CA committee on national defense that, as PMA head, he is making sure that the cadets’ activities were monitored properly inside the academy after deaths hound the PMA.

He added that he asked for additional guidance counselors to ensure that the mental health of the plebes are well taken care of.