Cirilito Sobejana

Rising through the ranks, Sobejana eventually served as commander of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, the Joint Task Force Sulu, the 6th Infantry Division, and then the Western Mindanao Command.

Cirilito Elola Sobejana (born July 31, 1965) is a retired Philippine Army general who served as the 55th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte.

Sobejana graduated from the Philippine Military Academy as part of the Hinirang Class of 1987.

He finished his Command and General Staff Course at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College and underwent the Executive Course on National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines.

The general underwent the Scout Ranger Regiment Course and was a qualified member of the Special Forces.

He has also trained as a paratrooper and a scuba diver.

Internationally, Sobejana trained in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRN defense) in Sweden and in operations research systems analysis at the US Army Logistics Management College in the United States.

He also completed the Advance Security Cooperation course at Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Sobejana undertook various positions throughout his military career including Commandant of the Scout Ranger School and Commander of the Civil-Military Operations Group, Deputy Operations and Training Officer of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, Head of the Plans, Policies and Materiel Development Division of the Army Support Command, Chief of the Firepower Division at the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics J4, Executive Officer of the Army Resource Management Office, and Deputy Chief to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations G7.

Under his leadership, his units earned recognition: the 1st Scout Ranger Company was named Best Company in 1994, the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion the Best Battalion in 2009, the 601st Infantry Brigade the Best Brigade in 2016, and 6th Infantry Division the Best Division in 2018.

He attributes the successes of his troops to his personal mantra "Ang taong masaya [ay] maraming magagawa (A happy man does many things)."

He is also known for having been awarded the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medal of Valor in 1995 for his valiant actions in Basilan against the extremist guerrilla group Abu Sayyaf.

In 1995, then Captain Sobejana led his platoon in engaging a group of 20 Abu Sayyaf guerrillas in Isabela, Basilan.

Abu Sayyaf reinforcements arrived until Sobejana's unit was facing approximately 150 combatants.

After two hours spent trading fire, Sobejana sustained two bullet wounds to his right forearm and a third bullet wrecked his rifle.

His arm was almost severed and he had to bite his right thumb to keep the arm from falling off.

Sobejana then began to fire using his left hand while still directing his men.

The firefight ended after four hours with Sobejana being wounded thrice more.

Sobejana refused to have his arm amputated and underwent several surgical procedures in the United States.

He underwent initial surgery at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii and would ultimately spend 10 months there undergoing further operations and reconstructive surgery.

From 2003 to 2004, he was deployed to the United Nations Mission in East Timor as a military observer.

Prior to that, he served as commander of the Western Mindanao Command from June 2019 to August 2020, of the 6th Infantry Division in 2018, and of the Joint Task Force Sulu in 2017.

As commander of the Western Mindanao Command, Sobejana notably led the search and rescue operations of British businessman Allan Hyrons and his Filipino wife, Wilma in October 2019.

The couple was abducted by the Abu Sayyaf in Zamboanga del Sur and was rescued in November of that year in Sulu.

British special forces provided support during the operation.

Sobejana was accorded the rank of Pinuno (Officer) of the Philippine Legion of Honor for his leadership and meritorious conduct and service.

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament also commended the general for his overwhelming support in the peace process and overall peace developments in the Bangsamoro Region

Sobejana was also appointed the Commanding General of the Philippine Army from August 2020 to February 2021.

On August 4, 2020, Sobejana was appointed Commanding General of the Philippine Army by President Rodrigo Duterte.

He took over from then Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, as the later was promoted to Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

On January 27, 2021, Sobejana again succeeded General Gilbert Gapay as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

His concurrent promotion to General was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on March 24, 2021.

As chief of staff, Sobejana vowed to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, secure the country's interests, and protect the country's sovereignty of its claimed features in the South China Sea (portions of which are designated as "West Philippine Sea") amidst the heightened tensions in the area.

The deployment of three Type 22 missile boats near the Second Thomas Shoal in April 2021 by Chinese forces was met with the deployment of Philippine military assets by the general, particularly ships and aircraft, along with the Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to the South China Sea.

He protested against the proposed Coast Guard Law from China, enabling them to open fire on any ship that enter the disputed waters.

In March 2021, the attention of General Sobejana was called by the Commission on Appointments regarding the questionable appointment of then Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr. as Acting Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

Senator Panfilo Lacson cited Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8186 to challenge the appointment, even in an acting capacity.

Upholding the precedence of the law, General Sobejana relieved Lieutenant General Faustino from his post.

Sobejana retired from military service in July 2021.

He was succeeded in his post as chief of staff by Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr..