Ricardo A. David, Jr is a former Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of staff of the Philippine Armed Forces. He was the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief. On June 30, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III picked David as his AFP chief. On July 2, 2010, Ricardo David assumes the command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from Lt Gen. Nestor Z Ochoa. He currently serves as the Undersecretary for Defense Policy of the Department of National Defense (Philippines), Department of National Defense.

Background

He was born in 1955 in San Fernando, Pampanga, but spent most of his childhood in Victoria, Tarlac. He took up his primary education in Dolores Elementary School of Dolores, San Fernando, Pampanga and he graduated at the top of his class in 1967. He graduated from Victoria High School in Tarlac as the Salutatorian of his class in 1971. Upon graduating high school, he took up undergraduate studies in engineering at St. Louis University in Baguio City on a full scholarship program. After a couple of years of studies, he traded one scholarship program for another when he took his Oath as a Cadet of the Philippine Military Academy on April 1, 1973; He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy on March 1, 1977.

Military career

He was the Commanding Officer of the 50th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Infantry Division (Philippines), 5th Infantry Division from December 1996 to April 1998. He also became the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division (Philippines), 402nd Infantry Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division (Philippines), 4th Infantry Division from March 2005 to December 2006. This was followed by his assignment to the AFP Command Center until August 2007. Afterwards, he commanded the Army Support Command until April 2008, then the 4th Infantry Division (Philippines), 4th Infantry Division until June 2009 and from there to the AFP Northern Luzon Command up to the time he became the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines on July 2, 2010.

Awards

Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation * PHL Martial Law Unit Citation

Martial Law Unit Citation * PHL People Power I Unit Citation

People Power I Unit Citation * PHL People Power II Unit Citation

People Power II Unit Citation * PHL Distinguished Service Star BAR

Distinguished Service Stars * PHI Legion of Honor 2003 Officer BAR

PHL Legion of Honor - Chief Commander BAR

- Philippine Legion of Honor, Degree of Officer & Chief Commander * PHL Outstanding Achievement Medal

Outstanding Achievement Medal * PHL Gawad Sa Kaunlaran

Gawad sa Kaunlaran * PHL Bronze Cross

Bronze Cross Medals * PHL_Military_Merit_Medal

Military Merit Medal (Philippines), Military Merit Medals * PHL Silver Wing Medal ribbon bar

Silver Wing Medal * PHL Military Commendation

Military Commendation Medals * PHL Military Civic Action Medal

Military Civic Action Medals * PHL Sagisag Ulirang Kawal

Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal * AFP Long Service Medal

Long Service Medal * Anti-dissidence Campaign Medal *

Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal *

Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal *

Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon * Combat Commander's (Kagitingan) Badge

Combat Commander's Badge (Philippines), Combat Commander's Badge *

AFP Parachutist Badge *

Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College, Philippine Army Command and General Staff Course Badge * Philippine Air Force, PAF Gold Wings Badge

AFP Chief of staff

In Gen. David's change-of-command ceremony speech, David reminded his soldiers to keep the military as a "disciplined institution." He said: "We shall continue to be a responsible instrument of public policy, subservient to civilian authority,"

Family

He is married to Merilou Malacay of Cagayan de Oro City and they have two sons, Russel David and Rommel David.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:David, Ricardo Living people Filipino generals Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs (Philippines) People from San Fernando, Pampanga People from Tarlac Benigno Aquino III administration personnel Philippine Military Academy alumni Saint Louis University (Philippines) alumni Year of birth missing (living people)