The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday dismissed replacement rumors within Western Command (WesCom).
AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said that the current WesCom chief, Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos has filed a leave which he submitted personally.
“He filed for a leave, the issue has no connection to the new model, It has nothing to do with the issue, it was coincidental,” Padilla said in a text message.
“We cannot dictate when an officer wants to file for a leave, as to the timing, it could be coincidental but it was a prerogative of an individual when he/she wants to file for a leave, we gave leave balances that we consume so he (VADM Carlos) availed it,” she added.
Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Center chief, Rear Admiral Alfonso Torres is currently acting WesCom chief.
Padilla also said that the duration of the personal leave of Carlos was not specified when he submitted his request.
“It was not specified until when was his leave, He (VADM Carlos) did not mention it to us,” the AFP spox said.
Padilla also said that the appointment of Torres was based on seniority.
“The appointment was based on who will be designated to the position. It depends on who will be designated, so the usual was especially this was a critical area, so a senior officer will also be put in place not necessarily the deputy, they will place someone with a higher rank,” the military spokesperson said in a phone call.
Carlos has yet to release a statement following his alleged involvement in the so-called “new model” of management at Ayungin Shoal, which was reportedly fabricated by the Chinese.
Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea (WPS), Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad calls the reports “zombie stories.”