25th Commanding General, PAF
08 January 1999- 10 October 2000
LT GEN WILLIE C FLORENDO AFP was born in Naguilan, La Union on 10 October 1944.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the Mapua Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation from the Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics. He also completed his Bachelor of Arts from Adamson University, Manila in 1970; his Master of Arts in Management (Public Management) from the University of the Philippines, Cebu in 1979; and his Master of Arts in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines in 1986.
His military career started in 1963 when he joined the Philippine Air Force Flying School and graduated in 1965. He became a Liaison Pilot of the 601st Liaison Squadron before moving to 206th and 207th Air Transport Squadrons as a transport pilot. He completed the C-47 Pilot Qualification Course at the 207th Air Transport Squadron in 1967 and the F-27 Pilot Qualification Course at the 204th Air Transport Squadron in 1972. He completed the Squadron Officers Course at Air Force Officer’s School in 1975 before moving to take up and finished the course of N-22 Pilot Qualification Course at 220th Heavy Airlift Squadron in 1976 and the C-130 Pilot Qualification Course at Lockheed Georgia Company, Marietta, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1977. Later, he was sent abroad to study Basic Language Course in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1981 and subsequently took the Command and General Staff Course at Air Command and General Staff College in Lembang, Indonesia in 1982.
General Florendo held numerous significant positions such as Detachment Commander of the 1st and 2nd PAF Detachment of the 601st Liaison Squadron in 1965 to 1966; Squadron Commander of the 223rd Tactical Airlift Squadron from 1979 to 1980; Commandant of the PAF Flying School from 1989 to 1990; Chief of Air Staff in 1996; Wing Commander of the 220th Airlift Wing in 1997; Division Commander of the 2nd Air Division in 1998; Vice Commander, PAF in 1999; and finally, he was appointed to the position of Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force on 08 January 1999 to 10 October 2000.
He is a recipient of various awards and decorations such as Distinguished Service Stars, Bronze Cross Medal, Military Merit Medals, Silver Wing Medals, and Military Commendation Medals, among others.
Lieutenant General Florendo is married to Mrs Rebecca D Florendo with whom he has three children namely Marissa, Rodin, Romina and an adopted daughter named Maria Elena Dacanay.