1. Topic 5: “Developing an Air Power Culture: The Missing Dimension”
GEN BENJAMIN P DEFENSOR AFP (Ret.)
GENERAL BENJAMIN P DEFENSOR JR AFP (Ret) was born on 12 September 1946 at Iloilo City. Some of the important position he held
were the Secretary of Air Staff, Military Assistant to Public Affairs; the Service Military Assistant at the House of Representative National Defense Secu-
rity; Provost Marshall; Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Civil Military Operation, A7; Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Plans, A5; Commander, 600th Air Base
Wing, Clark Air Base Pampanga; Wing Commander, 100th Training Wing; Commander, Tactical Operations Command, Cebu; Commanding General,
PAF; and Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. He served as Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-Terrorism and at the same time, Chairman
of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Counter-Terrorism Task Force (CTTF).
He graduated from the PMA in 1969, with the distinction of Master of the Sword and Journalism Award and from the PAFFS in 1971 as the
class president. A noted scholar and strategist, Gen Defensor consistently topped in schoolings. He completed with distinction his GSC at the Air Com-
mand and Staff College of the United States Air Force, Air University in 1985. His postgraduate studies include Masters in Mass Communication from the
University of the Philippines, Masters in Public and Business Management from De La Salle University and Air Transport Course from the Asian Institute
of Management. He also took up PhD studies and was sent abroad for several military training courses in USA, Germany and Italy. In 2001, the USAF
Air University in Alabama, USA included him into its prestigious International Hall of Honor for his career-long achievements.
Gen Defensor is a recipient of numerous awards and decorations, which include five (5) Distinguished Service Star Medals; three (3) Gold
Cross Medals; three (3) Silver Wing Medals; two (2) Distinguished Aviation Medals; seven (7) Military Merit Medals; four (4) Military Commendation
Medals; two (2) Anti – Dissidence Campaign Ribbons; Presidential Citation Badge and 38 Letters of Commendation and Appreciation.
MGEN JOSE TONY E VILLARETE AFP
Commander, 3rd Air Division
MAJOR GENERAL JOSE TONY E VILLARETE AFP is the Commander of the 3rd Air Division, PAF. A graduate of the
Philippine Military Academy and the Philippine Air Force Flying School in 1979 and 1981, respectively, Maj General Villarete’s
exemplary military career spans more than three decades.
Prior to his current position, he has served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J-5; Wing Commander of 15th Strike
Wing, 570th Composite Tactical Wing, and 4th Tactical Operations Wing; Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Intelligence, A-2; Chief
of Staff, Philippine Military Academy; AFP Permanent Representative to the Coalition Coordinating Center, US Central Com-
mand; Head of Mission, Joint Philippine Planning Team; Chief, Research and Doctrine Development Division, OJ3; Director,
Office of Special Studies, HPAF, and Head, Phil Contingent to the UN Military Observer Group in East Timor among others.
He was educated and trained in both civilian and military institutions here and abroad to include SITS, ISAFP; Air
Command and Staff College, AETC; International Officer School and the Squadron Officer School of the Air University in
Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, USA; Defense Resources Management Institute, Naval Post Graduate School, Department
of Defense, USA. He also earned his Masters Degree in Management Major in Public Management from the University of the
Philippines, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.
In recognition of his commitment in the military service, Maj General Villarete is a recipient of various awards and
distinctions including Philippine Legion of Honor, Bronze Cross Medal, Golden Aviator Award for Command Function Category,
Cavalier Award for Military Professionalism in Staff Functions, PAF Gold Wings, Military Merit Medals, Military Commendation
Medals among others.