Ex-Navy chief named OIC of defense department unit

MANILA, Philippines – A former Navy chief has been named officer-in-charge of the defense department office handling veterans and retirees’ affairs.

Jesus Millan, who retired from the military service last August, is now the officer-in-charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Public, Veterans and Retiree Affairs. The office supervises the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Public Affairs Service of the defense department.

Millan replaced former defense undersecretary Eduardo Batac, a retired Air Force colonel who resigned from his post last July allegedly due to health reasons.

Defense department public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has recommended Millan’s appointment to President Aquino. The former Navy chief will have the rank of undersecretary once the President signs his appointment papers.