# Generoso Senga

Generoso Senga, is a Philippine Army general who served as 34th chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from August 15, 2005, to July 22, 2006. He was commanding general of the Philippine Army prior to his appointment as chief of staff by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

## Early life and education

Senga was born on July 21, 1950, in Marikina, Rizal (now Metro Manila).
He attended Philippine Military Academy and graduated in 1972. He earned a master's degree in Business Administration at Ateneo de Manila University. He took Infantry Officer's Course at US Army Infantry School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA. Senga also finished the Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Program at US Defense Intelligence College, Intelligence and Security Course from Ministry of Defense in the United Kingdom, International Program at the Galilee College in Nazareth, Israel. and East Asia Security Program from Hawaii-based US Pacific Command.
He also took law at Ateneo de Manila University.

### Military service

Senga was commissioned as second lieutenant in 1972. He first served as platoon leader in 27th Infantry Battalion at the height of Moro War with MNLF and MILF. He was wounded in a skirmish in Mindanao and received a wounded personnel medal. He was appointed as chief of combat research and historical branch at the office of the deputy chief of staff for operations, AFP, assistant group commander of 11th Civil Relations Group, and later as commander of 59th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army. He served as Intelligence Research and Analysis Division chief at the deputy chief of staff for intelligence. He was named as operations officer of the Northern Luzon Command, and its chief of staff.
He was named assistant chief of operations of the Philippine Army, commander of Counter-Terrorist Group, and later commander of 701st Infantry Brigade based in Davao. He was selected by then AFP chief of staff General Angelo Reyes as AFP spokesperson. He was later named chief of staff of the Philippine Army and later deputy chief of staff for civil military operations, AFP. He was later named commander of 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Maguindanao.
He was appointed as commander of the AFP Southern Command, where he led campaigns against MILF renegades, Abu Sayyaf terrorist and other lawless elements. He was appointed as commanding general, Philippine Army.
He received numerous medals, including eight Distinguished Service Medals, two Bronze Cross Medals, 17 Military Merit Medals, and a wounded personnel medal.

### Botched coup

During his term as AFP chief of staff, several senior officers planned a coup in February 2006 to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. However, this was discovered abruptly stopped when President Arroyo declared a week long State of Emergency. 38 officers and 27 foot soldiers are brought to court martial among them are former Commandant of Marine Corps Major General Renato Miranda, 1st Marine Brigade Commander bemedaled Colonel Ariel Querubin a Medal of Valor awardee, and commander of 1st Scout Ranger Regiment Brigadier General Danilo Lim. Senga was credited on crushing the coup but it was reported that Senga and commanding general of Philippine Army Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon was part of the plot but later backed out due to political enticements which both denied.

### Later career

Senga was appointed as ambassador to Iran in 2008 by President Arroyo until 2010.

## Personal life

Senga is married to Pilar Pigason-Senga of Masbate and they have three children Kristina, Gabriel, and Katrina.