Jaime de los Santos

Jaime de los Santos (born April 1946 in Nueva Ecija, Philippines) is a retired Filipino military general who led the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the first Filipino officer to lead an international peacekeeping force on foreign soil. He also served as chief of staff and the commanding general of the Philippine Army.

De los Santos joined the Philippine Army in 1969 after graduating from the Philippine Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Military Engineering. De los Santos later on served as a brigade commander, chief of staff and commanding general of an infantry division and superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy.

In December 1999, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed de los Santos as the Force Commander of the UNTAET. The International Force East Timor (INTERFET) commanded by Australian Major General Peter Cosgrove transitioned to the UNTAET Peacekeeping Force on 23 February 2000. Thus, Santos became the first Filipino officer to lead an international peacekeeping force.

In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appointed de los Santos as the chief of staff and the commanding general of the Philippine Army of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He retired from military service in April 2002.

Awards in military service

Philippine Air Force Gold Wings Badge