Commie hunter new Army chief

From the Manila Standard (May 16, 2021): Commie hunter new Army chief (By Macon Ramos-Araneta)

President Rodrigo Duterte has named the commander of Northern Mindanao’s “Diamond Division,” Maj. Gen. Andres Centino, as the new head of the Philippine Army.

“We are confident that Maj. Gen. Centino will continue the initiatives to professionalize and modernize the principal branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building the gains to serve our people and secure our land,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said on Sunday.

Centino, as then commander of the 4th Infantry Division, has committed to defeat the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

He focused on ending mass support for the communist rebels to prevent it from raising funds and recruiting new members.

“The CPP-NPA members, without resources, will surely be defeated and can no longer recruit new members nor conduct atrocities against our people,” he said in a speech last year.

For his part, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo welcomed Centino’s appointment, saying it came at a time when the military is vigorously pursuing its initiatives and building on its gains to defeat communist rebels, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“This is where his attributes are expected to contribute immensely,” Arevalo said.

Centino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, will replace his classmate Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino who was appointed as acting Army chief in February.

Faustino, who still has several months remaining before his mandatory retirement in November this year, will be designated as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff on Peace and Development, according to AFP chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana.

Sobejana said Faustino’s relief was done in accordance with Section 4 of Republic Act No. 8186, which states that the commanding general of the Philippine Army should have at least one year remaining in the service on the day of his assumption.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson lauded Malacañang and the Department of National Defense for upholding the rule of law in naming Centino as the new Army chief.

“I thank and commend Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for rectifying an oversight in appointing Lt. Gen. Faustino, and for their adherence to Section 4 of RA No. 8186,” Lacson said.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, said the appointment of Centino complies with the law’s provision.

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