By Cyrus A. Natividad
Major General Samuel G. Gotico, PAF.
Major General Samuel Gaitano Gotico of the Philippine Air Force is known as a bemedalled Centralian whose outstanding leadership in the Armed Forces of the Philippines Tactical Operation made him a multi-awarded and decorated officer with over one hundred medals, awards and commendations.
The accolades include three Distinguished Service Star Medals, 3 Distinguished Service Star Medals for Outstanding Military Service and Three Aviation Cross Medals for Outstanding Airmanship, among others. This resulted to his assignment as the 50th Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5 of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (effective March 24, 2020); responsible in the formulation, evaluation, analysis, review and preparation of force restructuring, military strategy, plans, programs and policies and management of the international affairs of the AFP, as approved by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Another notable assignment of Gotico was being the Squadron Commander of the 16th and 17th Attack Squadron.
Gotico was a Combat Ready Pilot, an Element Leader of the AT-28D “Tora-tora” aircraft and Instructor Pilot as well. He was designated as Wing Inspector General, Inspector for Operations of the 15th Strike Wing, and many other calls of duty which Gotico responded with high esteem.
He was Chief of the Air Force Modernization Projects Management Office in 2011 and the Assistant Chief of Division Staff for Operations, 3rd Air Division, Zamboanga City in 2012-2014 and furthermore with what seems to be a long list of laudable military and civilian service; how his fellow soldiers regarded him as “an officer and a gentleman.”
His excellent service and dedication to his call of duty came a long way from his time in College at Central Philippine University where he was the Corp Commander of CPU Army CMT Unit at which time he also finished his Advanced Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). “CPU graduates are trained to be excellent”, or so it seemed to be with Centralian Major General Gotico. His dedication at work is also attributed to his faith and trust in God. “Whatever God has given me, I must commit and work hard for it,” he said.
After finishing his Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting from Central Philippine University in 1985, Gotico joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Aviation Cadet Program in 1986 at Fernando Air Base, Lipa City and ranked 4th in his graduating class in 1988.
Major General Gotico was born on August 3, 1965 in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, but grew up in Guimaras. He is happily married to Gina Merto Tibayan, a registered nurse and Assistant Director of Nursing of Excell Health Care Center in the United States of America. They are blessed with a son, Aaron Samuel, who is also a registered nurse and pursuing his studies in Medicine.