Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Philippine Army chief, remains the strongest choice as the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces when Gen. Jessie Dellosa retires this month.

Bautista, who belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class 81, is favored because of his impressive track record and outstanding accomplishments.

Senior commanders in western Mindanao command in Zamboanga City and eastern Mindanao command in Davao City prefer Bautista to replace Dellosa.

“General Bautista is a very good commander and hardworking and always maintain a low profile at work and despite the many accomplishments of the Philippine Army under his able leadership you will not hear or see him releasing information or holding news conferences to trumpet all these in the media,” said one army colonel, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear that his statement would be taken against him personally by others who are aspiring to be the next Armed Forces chief.

“He just let the higher headquarters do the talking while he works silently and effectively on the ground,” he added.

He said that other senior military officers share his views. But he was quick to say that the decision on who would replace Dellosa is with President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

He said that Defense chief Voltaire Gazmin could influence Aquino’s choice; however, the recommendation of other generals is also a deciding factor.