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Philippine military says 'everything is normal' amid leadership transition

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Anjo Bagaoisan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino gives an update to President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on December 27, 2021. King Rodriguez, Presidential Photo/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/01/08/20211227-duterte-cabinet-odetteph-afp-cenitno-mnib20.jpg"/><figcaption>Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Andres Centino gives an update to President Rodrigo Duterte during a meeting with key government officials at the Malacañan Palace on December 27, 2021. King Rodriguez, Presidential Photo/File</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA — (UPDATED) Following rumors of alleged resignations in its ranks, the Philippine military assured the public that it remains united, stable, and in high spirits as its leadership changed hands on Saturday.In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the change of command from outgoing chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro to returning military chief Gen. Andres Centino went “smoothly”.The military also belied circulating stories that the Philippine National Police (PNP) was preparing to respond to destabilization threats in Camp Aguinaldo.“The AFP assures everyone that everything is normal,” the statement read.Military spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar told ABS-CBN News on Sunday it is business as usual in camps across the country.He added there was no truth to reports soldiers and other officials were resigning en masse.“Wala po akong nababalitaan na nagbibitiw. So normal ang sitwasyon sa loob ng mga kampo, tuloy ang trabaho at mas naka-focus kami doon sa misyon na aming ginagampanan,” Aguilar said in a phone interview.“Dahil ito ay dapat matagal nang dapat nawala, ‘yong internal conflict, at ‘yon ang aming gagawan ng paraan para matapos ito sa lalong madaling panahon.”Aguilar said morale in the field was high.“Kung titingnan natin ‘yong sa accomplishment natin pagdating sa internal security operations, sa counter-terrorism, mataas ang morale ng ating kasundaluhan.”AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Jorry Baclor also backed Aguilar’s assessment.“Morale of soldiers remain(s) very high, wala naman nagbago,” he said in a text message.<div>SIMULATION EXERCISES</div>The AFP statement added the movements of PNP assets were part of the simulation exercises in preparation for the Black Nazarene celebration on Sunday.Police spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo told reporters on Saturday the PNP was placed on full alert for the AFP’s command turnover but rescinded it back to a heightened alert.She added the amassing of mobile trucks and tanks at the police national headquarters Camp Crame and increased police visibility in checkpoints across the country were part of police preps for the major religious festivities.Fajardo also said the country was not facing any destabilization threat.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/07/23/pnp-nilinaw-na-walang-destabilization-threat">PNP nilinaw na walang &#x27;destabilization threat&#x27;</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/07/23/pnp-nagdeklara-ng-full-alert">PNP nagdeklara ng full alert para sa AFP change of command, Pista ng Nazareno</a></li></ul>The AFP added in its statement that it was coordinating with other state security forces to remain on guard against threat groups.“As a professional organization, the whole AFP is united behind the leadership of Gen. Centino as it continues to perform its mission of protecting the people and defending territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” the military said.Aguilar added Centino has yet to meet with the AFP’s key leaders to give his marching orders.<div>MILITARY’S SUPPORT</div>Following Centino’s installment, the 3 branches of the military released separate pronouncements welcoming their returning chief of staff and saying they support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision.“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,” the Navy statement read.From the Philippine Air Force: “The PAF remains loyal to our flag and our Constitution, and as a force provider, we will stay committed in our mandate to support the mission of the AFP in securing and defending our country and people.”<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/01/07/23/centino-return-as-afp-chief-seen-to-beef-up-anti-insurgency-campaign-analyst">Centino return as AFP chief seen to beef up anti-insurgency campaign: analyst</a></li></ul>The Philippine Army, where Centino served, said Sunday that it was looking forward to their former commanding general’s backing upon his return.“We are confident that Gen. Centino, who earlier led the AFP from November 2021 to August 2022, will support the Philippine Army in attaining its vision of becoming a world-class land force that is a source of national pride by 2028. The organization is assured on its strides in its modernization thrusts,” the Army statement read.<div>CONCERN OVER ’SQUABBLING’</div>Meanwhile, House deputy minority leader and partylist lawmaker Rep. France Castro on Sunday expressed concern over rumored internal conflicts in the military which could possibly lead to coups and more human rights violations.She pointed to Republic Act No. 11709 which fixes to three years the term and tenure of “key officers” in the AFP, including the chief of staff and commanders of the 3 branches.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/16/22/new-law-fixes-afp-chief-officials-term-of-office">New law fixes term of office for AFP chief, officials</a></li></ul>“It seems that the law is creating tensions or divisions within the military, as some members may feel that they have been passed over for promotion or that the selection process was not fair,&quot; the ACT Teachers representative said in a statement.“Some military officers are strongly lobbying for it to be repealed or at least amended by Congress. So political favors are expected to be owed when that happens.” An amendment to the 2022 law which now seeks to limit the 3-year-term only to the military’s most senior officials passed the third reading in the House at the end of last year.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/12/22/house-approves-removing-fixed-term-for-some-military-officials">House approves removing fixed term for some military officials</a></li></ul>&quot;That is the sad state of the AFP today that officers are wrangling among themselves to get to the top rank and get a bigger piece of the pie while their soldiers are committing human rights violations left and right,&quot; Castro added.Centino in his speech at the AFP change of command ceremony on Saturday called on members of the military to refrain from “squabbling” over interpretations of the law.The returning military chief said the law only seeks to strengthen the armed forces and pave the way for selecting the most “competent, capable, and deserving” military leaders.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/07/23/centino-urges-unity-in-military-amid-decisive-moment">Returning AFP chief Centino urges unity in military amid ‘decisive moment’</a></li></ul><div>RELATED VIDEO:</div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2408466" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Philippine military assured the public that it remains united and stable as its leadership changed hands on Saturday.

Philippine military says 'everything is normal' amid leadership transition

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Philippine military says 'everything is normal' amid leadership transition

Anjo Bagaoisan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 08, 2023 12:51 PM PHT

|

Updated Jan 08, 2023 06:58 PM PHT

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Armed Forces of the Philippines

Andres Centino

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defense

House of Representatives

France Castro

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