President Aquino to new Armed Forces chief: Continue reforms in the military

From the Philippine News Agency (Jul 18): President Aquino to new Armed Forces chief: Continue reforms in the military

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday led the change of command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at the military’s general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

In his message during the event, the President commended outgoing chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista for his good stewardship of the AFP, and called on new chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., to continue ongoing reforms in the military.

"Kay Lt. Gen. Catapang: Ngayon ngang nagbago na ang mukha ng Sandatahang Lakas, nawa’y sagarin mo ang bawat pagkakataon sa iyong liderato upang lalo pang tumibay at lumakas ang ating institusyon, sa ngalan ng makabuluhang paglilingkod sa ating kapwa at bandila," the President said.

Gen. Catapang is highly qualified to lead the AFP, he said.

Catapang, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1981, has been assigned in Mindanao, and has led the 7th Infantry Division and the Northern Luzon Command of the Philippines Marines, before his appointment as AFP vice chief-of-staff last May.

The President described him as an “all-around” official of the armed forces, who is responsible, reliable, and has extensive knowledge in running the military.

"Kay Lt. Gen. Pio Catapang: Hindi naman sa pine-pressure kita, pero bilang bagong tagapagtimon ng AFP, hindi lamang 125,000 sundalo natin ang nakasalalay sa iyong pamumuno; maging ang 98 milyon nating mga Boss ay umaasa sa tapat mong pagseserbisyo," he said.

With less than two years in office, the present administration has done a lot in fixing the country's bureaucracy, President Aquino said.

The government, he noted, was able to go after corrupt officials and hold them accountable, expanded social services, strengthened the economy, and started the process to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao.

And while there are individuals who will continue to oppose change, the government will always prevail so long as it serves the interest of the people, he added.

"Ito ang napatunayan ng mga tapat na lingkod-bayan na tulad ni Gen. Bautista, at ito ang inaasahan nating itutuloy ni Gen. Catapang sa mga susunod na panahon," he said.

"Gaano man kahirap ang mga pagsubok na ating pinagdaanan sa nakalipas na apat na taon, ipinamalas ng ating mga pinuno, ng mga kawal ng bayan, na nasa parehong panig sila ng sambayanan."

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=663873