President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday led the change
of command of the Philippine Army in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City
Major General Eduardo Año replaced Lieutenant General
Hernando Iriberri, who was named as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) last Friday.
In his speech, the President commended outgoing Army chief,
Lt. Gen. Iriberri for his accomplishments and for implementing the AFP Internal
Peace and Security Plan (IPSP).
“Malinaw naman: na anuman ang iatang sa kanyang tungkulin,
ibinubuhos niya ang buong lakas at husay para makamit ang layunin,” he said,
referring to Iriberri, under whose leadership the Philippine Army was able to
apprehend key communist rebels.
“Sa ilalim ng Focused Military Operations, halos 400,000 na
operasyon ang isinagawa ng Hukbong Katihan upang masugpo ang masasamang
elemento sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa. Nagresulta po ito sa pagkakadakip at
pagsupil sa mga high-value targets na gaya nina Benito at Wilma Tiamzon, Ruben
Saluta, Adelberto Silva, at Kumander Parago ng CPP-NPA-NDF, pati kina Mohamad
Ali Tambako ng Justice Islamic Movement at Sihata Latip ng Abu Sayyaf,” he
added.
President Aquino further noted that although he has not
directly worked with Maj. Gen. Año, he admires his military achievements.
“Talaga namang napabilib tayo sa mga nagawa at naiambag niya
sa ating kasundaluhan. Pinamunuan niya ang operasyon sa matagumpay na
pag-aresto kay Jovito Palparan, sa mag-asawang Tiamzon, at sa marami pang
matataas na opisyal ng mga rebeldeng grupo. Batid natina na ang tagumpay na ito
ay hindi dinaan sa tsamba, bagkus sa mahusay na estratehiya at dedikasyon na
tugisin ni Maj. Gen. Año, ang masasamang elemento sa lipunan,” he said.
The President said he believes that given his 30-year
experience in military service, Año would be able to continue the positive
changes in the Army.
“Tiwala tayong maipapamana niya sa mga kawal ang sariling
tatak ng propesyonalismong ipinapamalas niya. Naibigay na nga po natin ang
ating marching orders kay Major General Año, alam kong hindi siya lilihis sa
pagtupad sa misyong ito—ang pagsilbihan ang ating mga Boss,” he said.
In his speech, Lt. General Iriberri expressed hope that the
new Army chief would continue the changes he had instituted in the Philippine
Army and work for more breakthroughs to hit “our base camp 2016 transformation
targets.”
Maj. Gen. Año, meanwhile, pledged to uphold all the
responsibilities as the new commanding general of the Philippine Army.
“Rest assured, Sir that I will safeguard and fully accept
the task of the Army chief. I will fight any threat and overcome any challenge
with integrity to uphold what is morally right and profound loyalty to the
Constitution every soldier is mandated to uphold,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Año graduated cum laude from the Philippine
Military Academy, belonging to the Matikas Class of 1983.Prior to his
appointment as Army chief, he served as commander of the 10th Infantry “Agila”
Division.
He took an International Officer Intelligence Course at Fort Huachuca
in Arizona , USA
He is a recipient of various awards, among them two
Distinguished Service Stars; a Gold Cross medal for gallantry in combat action;
a Silver Cross Medal; 24 Bronze Cross Medals for intelligence operations; and
38 Military Merit Medals.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=783147
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