Ricardo Visaya


Ricardo Ramoran Visaya is a retired Filipino soldier who served as the 47th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was the Commanding General of the AFP Southern Luzon Command from September 8, 2014 to July 1, 2016. He was also the former assistant division commander of 6th Infantry Division and former commander of the 4th Infantry Division. He is part of the Matikas Class of the Philippine Military Academy of 1983.
On March 7, 2017, Visaya was appointed as National Irrigation Administration chief after Peter T. Laviña resign from his post a week prior.

Early life and education

Ricardo Visaya was born in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. It's also where he finished elementary and secondary education. He entered Philippine Military Academy in 1979 and graduated in 1983.

Military career

After graduating in 1983, he led various units in the Philippine Army and the AFP, such as the 901st Infantry Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division, the 104th Infantry Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division and the 69th Infantry Brigade of the 6th Infantry Division.
He also led the 4th Infantry Division the 6th Infantry Division, and the AFP Southern Luzon Command, before being appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on July 1, 2016. He retired from military service on December 7, 2016.

Training

He attended various courses locally and abroad, such as the Scout Ranger Regular Course, the Intelligence Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advance Course, the Tradecraft for Trainor's Course, the Electronic Warfare Officer Course, the Contract Management Course, the Executive Course on Security Studies in Hawaii, USA; the Command General Staff Course at the Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army; the Pacific Army Management Seminar in Tokyo, Japan ; the Professional Managers Program at the Ateneo de Manila University; and the Financial Statement Analysis program at the University of Asia and the Pacific. He earned his Masters in Project Management at the Australian Defence College in Canberra, Australia.

Awards

Visaya's awards include: