President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Lieutenant General Edmundo Peralta as the new deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), elevating the intelligence chief to one of the military’s top leadership posts.
Peralta formally assumed office during a ceremony held Monday at Camp Aguinaldo led by AFP chief Romeo Brawner Jr..
The appointment also marked Peralta’s promotion from major general to lieutenant general.
Before taking the post, Peralta served as chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) since October 2023. He previously commanded the Philippine Army’s 2nd Mechanized Brigade.
Peralta replaced Lieutenant General Arvin Lagamon, who had been serving in an acting and concurrent capacity while leading the AFP Civil Military Operations Command.
Lagamon temporarily assumed the deputy chief of staff position after Lieutenant General Rommel Roldan was designated AFP vice chief of staff, the military’s second-highest position.
AFP public affairs chief Xerxes Trinidad said the military has yet to receive instructions regarding Peralta’s replacement at ISAFP.
During the ceremony, Brawner emphasized the importance of leadership and accountability within the armed forces.
“The AFP moves forward because of leaders who are willing to accept responsibility, carry the burden of command, and place mission above self,” Brawner said.
In a statement, the AFP said the leadership transition reflects the organization’s continuing efforts to strengthen professionalism, leadership development, and organizational continuity amid evolving national security challenges.