PH on brink of victory vs. security threats: new PA chief

From the Philippine News Agency (May 18, 2021): PH on brink of victory vs. security threats: new PA chief (By Priam Nepomuceno)

NEW ARMY CHIEF. Maj. Gen. Andres Centino assumes as the new commander of the Philippine Army in a ceremony at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday (May 18, 2021). In his assumption speech, Centino said the Philippines is now on the brink of victory against long-time security threats due to the government's application of whole-of-nation framework in addressing these problems (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army Public Affairs Office)

The country is now on the brink of victory against long-time security threats, the new chief of the Philippine Army (PA) said on Tuesday.

"The PA is the prime force provider in the campaign of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to address insurgency and terrorism. Today as we simultaneously wage war in different fronts working within a whole of-nation framework, the Army, all stakeholders, our country is on the brink of victory against the communist insurgency, secessionism, and terrorism," Maj. Gen. Andres Centino said in his speech during the assumption-of-command ceremony at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Centino said this victory will come soon as the AFP is led by a Commander-in-Chief (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) whose "unflinching resolve" fuels their determination to finally put an end to the conflict that has plagued the country for years.

"With all the instrumentalities and agencies of government focused now on doing their respective mandate channeling all efforts towards the united front through the President's issuance of Executive Order 70 and the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC), we have been able to focus and execute our core functions as your Philippine military to ensure victory over the enemy," he added.

Centino cited the effects of these initiatives in Northern Mindanao and the Caraga Region where government troops made significant gains in defeating communist terrorists.

"Interagency cooperation and collaboration have enabled our Army units in the field to engage the enemy decisively, resulting in dismantled guerilla fronts, reduction in the enemy strength, and the liberation of communities from the clutches of the communist terrorist group," he added.

Centino also said the quick response of troops to the May 8 incident in Maguindanao prevented rogue elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) from disrupting peace in the region.

"Additionally, the Army (has) attained desired level of readiness for us to effectively support the AFP's campaign and the programs of the national government as such we are poised to provide a ready and disciplined force able to maneuver and employ capabilities to accomplish campaign objectives across a range of military operations," he added.

Modernization a priority

Centino also assured that the PA's modernization will remain a priority.

"We will sustain our endeavor to modernize. Acquisition of new equipment and technology shall be prioritized," he added.

He added that he will remain focused on key thrusts of the service such as readiness improvement, personnel management, operations, intelligence, logistics, and training.

"This (will) provide our soldiers (with) the advantage in the fights that lie ahead. These priority areas will serve as (a) framework to build (and modernize) our Army anchored on the guidelines of the Army Transformation Roadmap," he added.

Centino added that all these thrusts can be aligned to accomplish the PA's mandate.

"With these thrusts achieved, we will have a PA that is built on genuine transformation, an Army with modern technology and capability, an army that is professional, well equipped, and an Army of world-class standard and the pride of the Filipino people," Centino said.

He added that he is "honored and humbled" to take command of the PA, which has been the force that Filipinos can rely upon during the nation's most challenging times.

"Foremost, I express my wholehearted gratitude to the Almighty Father, the Great Architect of The Universe for the immeasurable blessings bestowed on me, to my family, to the men and women of the units that I have previously served with. Likewise, I dedicate my profound appreciation to our Commander-in-Chief, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his full trust and confidence in my capacity to lead the PA," Centino said.

Centino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988 and commander of the Cagayan De Oro-based 4th Infantry Division, replaced Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino who was appointed to the post last February 16.

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

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1140613