Ambassador to Brunei, 35 AFP officers secure CA nod

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Appointments (CA) on Friday confirmed the nomination of Renato Ner Dueñas Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Negara Brunei Darussalam, along with the appointments and nominations of 35 generals, flag officers, and senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Dueñas, a Chief of Mission, Class II, was nominated as the country’s envoy to Brunei after the Committee on Foreign Affairs recommended his nomination for approval by the CA plenary.

LOOK: The Commission on Appointments’ Committee on Foreign Affairs approved Friday morning the nomination of Renato Ner Dueñas Jr. as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Negara Brunei Darussalam, pending plenary approval. | @bellepechayINQ pic.twitter.com/J99GAdUUs8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 25, 2026

He was approved by the plenary without objection.

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Without objection, the CA plenary also approved the Committee on National Defense’s recommendation to confirm the 24 ad interim appointments and 11 nominations of AFP generals, flag officers, and senior officers.

LOOK: The Commission on Appointments’ Committee on National Defense on Friday recommended to the plenary the confirmation of 24 ad interim appointments and 11 nominations of Armed Forces of the Philippines generals, flag officers, and senior officers. | @bellepechayINQ pic.twitter.com/yoilELNFsM

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 25, 2026

The following were the AFP officials whose ad interim appointments were approved:

• Onorlie Brillantes – Major General
• Darrell Bañez – Brigadier General
• Vicente Arnold Dy – Brigadier General
• Nerelito Martinez – Commodore
• Lauro Oliveros – Brigadier General
• Oliver Reforba – Commodore
• Alan Relon – Colonel, Corps of Professor (Reserve)
• Michael Logico – Lieutenant General
• Joey Escanillas – Major General
• Alvin Hate – Major General
• Gilbert Roy Ruiz – Major General
• Glenn Joy Aynera – Brigadier General
• Grebel Brual – Brigadier General
• Arthur Laylo – Brigadier General
• Aminkadra Undug – Brigadier General, Reserve
• Santiago Pasis Jr. – Commodore
• Kim Eric Alexander Agatep – Brigadier General
• Roderick Guerrero – Brigadier General
• Ryan Reynie Sonsa – Brigadier General
• Genaro Menor – Major General
• Roy Onggao – Brigadier General
• Ramir Redosendo – Brigadier General
• Ryan Bakabak – Commodore
• Harold Argamosa – Brigadier General

For nominations, the following were likewise approved by the CA:

• Commo. Raul Regis – Rear Admiral
• Col. Bladimer Caluya – Brigadier General
• Col. Joel Lazo – Brigadier General
• Capt. Michael Barrion – Commodore
• Capt. Archibald Dino Delfin – Commodore
• Col. Cezar Conte Jr. – Brigadier General
• Col. Rizaldo Laurena – Brigadier General
• Col. Angelo Lutera – Brigadier General
• Capt. Sherwin Respeto – Commodore
• Col. Reynaldo Gabiñete – Brigadier General
• Col. Jonathan Gastardo – Brigadier General

Prior to the approval, Escanillas was the subject questions due to sworn oppositions filed by members of the Community Empowerment Resource Network, Inc. for alleged red-tagging.

LOOK: The Commission on Appointments’ Committee on National Defense on Friday terminated its consideration of the sworn opposition against the ad interim appointment of Maj. Gen. Joey Escanillas, who is among the 24 ad interim appointments under consideration by the committee.… pic.twitter.com/LkEg42i4oC

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 25, 2026

However, during the Committee on National Defense’s hearing, Escanillas denied the allegations, while the committee later terminated its consideration of the opposition and recommended his appointment as well. /mr