Major changes are due to take place in the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as the new Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Ricardo David, assumed his post on Friday.

David said the changes in the AFP hierarchy will take place as there will be officers who will be promoted to the three major positions in the AFP that are now vacant because of the retirement of those who previously held these posts.

“This is the result of retirements of Gen. (Delfin) Bangit, Gen. (Rodrigo) Maclang (the vice chief of staff); the deputy chief of staff, (Vice Admiral Emilio) Marayag, and other officers. For sure there will be military officers who will go up the ladder of the organization,” he said.

David assumed the top military post from Gen. Bangit, who availed of early retirement on June 22, such that Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa was named acting Chief of Staff until June 30.

Bangit’s early retirement was prompted by President Aquino’s public announcement before he took office that he will not keep the former in the top AFP post.

Bangit is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978 while David and Ochoa both belong to PMA Class 1977.