CHANGE OF COMMAND. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Andres Centino speaks during the change-of-command ceremonies held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Saturday (Jan. 7, 2023). Centino replaced Medal of Valor awardee, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro. (Photo courtesy of AFP)
MANILA – Newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Gen. Andres Centino, said all available resources must be employed to address current and emerging security threats.
"While significant gains have been achieved in our security campaigns, there remain critical tasks to be carried out that need to be fully complied [with]. We must ensure that all our resources are employed to definitively address all the current and emerging threats,” he said during the change-of-command ceremonies held at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Saturday.
Centino replaced Medal of Valor awardee, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, who was appointed to the AFP's top post on Aug. 8, 2022.
“As I take on the responsibility as chief-of-staff, I reiterate what I have focused on in the past to comply with the urgent tasks at hand," he added.
The change-of-command ceremony was presided over by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Centino took his oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Malacañan Palace on Jan. 6 following his appointment to hold the top military position.
He previously served as the AFP chief-of-staff from Nov. 12, 2021 to Aug. 8, 2022.
Centino is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1988.
Within that period, he implemented four major thrusts within the military organization: operational efficiency, optimal use of resources, advancement of professionalism and meritocracy within the organization, and capability development.
Bacarro, Centino's predecessor and PMA classmate, served for five months as AFP chief and is set to retire from military service.
During his tenure, the former AFP chief advocated his five-pronged "U.N.I.T.Y." thrust for the AFP that stands for: Unparalleled professionalism, Noble utilization of resources, Invigorating capability development, Tenacity in sustaining gains, and Yearning for service excellence.
Bacarro also conveyed his gratitude to the men and women of the AFP and his family, who served as his inspiration.
“It is my fervent wish that I can repay in whatever way I can all the support you have given me. I have felt the outpouring of support coming from well-wishers as I retire today,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bersamin said he was impressed by the AFP’s exhibition of obeisance to a great and hallowed tradition of the change of command.
“This tradition is worth emulating by the civilian sector of the population, and I will remember this moment and look back to this occasion as that beacon light in order to guide smoother transitions in the civilian and political sectors of our society. I am sure that every one of you knows your oaths of office and has expressed and practiced your loyalty to the constitution and to the flag. Continue on that course,” he said. (PNA)
