Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lieutenant General Jose Faustino Jr confirmed on Monday, August 23, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He is fully vaccinated.

He issued the statement after the AFP announced he tested positive through an antigen test. Faustino went for an RT-PCR test later and it came out with the same result Monday afternoon.  

“Fortunately, I am fully vaccinated and in high spirits to continue performing my job, albeit in quarantine,” Faustino said in a statement. 

“I will remain in command of the AFP but will continue to follow the prescribed isolation protocol to ensure the safety of those I work with and my family. In fact, I intend to join virtually the Western Mindanao Command change-of-command ceremony tomorrow,” the AFP chief said.

Faustino is the second military chief to contract the virus. In March 2020, then-AFP chief General Filemon Santos Jr also tested positive for COVID-19. Santos came in contact with another senior military officer who had previously tested positive for the virus.

According to AFP spokesperson Colonel Ramon Zagala, all close contacts of Faustino were ordered to undergo quarantine and be tested.

On Saturday, August 21, Faustino attended the change-of-command ceremony of the AFP Central Command at Camp Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City. – Rappler.com