AFP’S major service commands hail reappointment of Centino

THE military’s three major service commands welcomed the reappointment of Gen. Andres C. Centino as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in a full expression of support to the Commander in Chief’s decision.

Centino, member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1988, assumed his position on Saturday during a turnover ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo wherein he replaced his former academy classmate, Lt. Gen. Bartolome O. Bacarro.

Bacarro, who became the chief of staff in August last year or just a month before his retirement, replaced Centino. The latter was put on a floating status.

While he was removed of his command, Centino, whose retirement under the old military law is February this year when he turns 56, didn’t retire from the service and held on to his rank as a fourstar general.

A new military law has put the retirement age of military generals at 59.

Committed to mandate

IN separate statements, the Army, Air Force and Navy lauded Centino’s reappointment as chief of staff, saying they welcome the designation of Centino as the 59th chief of staff of the AFP.

“The Philippine Army is a professional organization. We will always respect and support the decision of the President and Commander-inchief [Marcos],” the Army said.

“We are confident that Centino, who earlier led the AFP from November 2021 to August 2022, will support the Philippine Army in attaining its vision of becoming a worldclass land force that is a source of national pride by 2028. The organization is assured on its strides in its modernization thrusts,” it said.

The Philippine Navy also expressed the same support to the new top military chief, who earlier urged the soldiers to end reports of squabbling and work for the good of the organization.

“Being a professional organization, the PN wholly supports the decision of the Commander-in-chief,” the Navy’s statement read.

“The Philippine Navy will continue to fulfill its mandate to support the mission of the AFP in protecting and securing our country and our people,” it added.

Likewise, the Philippine Air Force also said it “remains [a] stable and dependable organization and supports the decision of the Commander-in-chief.”

“The PAF remains loyal to our flag and our Constitution, and as a force provider, we will stay committed to our mandate to support the mission of the AFP in securing and defending our country and people,” it said.

PHOTO BY AP/AARON FAVILA President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. salutes with military chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente O. Bacarro before departing to Beijing last January 3, 2023, at the Villamor Air Base. Marcos on Saturday, January 7, cut short the term of Bacarro, whom he appointed five months ago and replaced him with a retiring general without explaining the surprise move.

PHOTO BY AP/AARON FAVILA Chief of Staff General Andres Centino speaks to reporters during opening ceremonies of the “Balikatan” (“shoulder to shoulder”) joint military exercises at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on March 28, 2022. Centino was reappointed last January 7 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. after cutting short the term of the military chief of staff he appointed five months ago without explaining the surprise move.