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Duterte taps Army chief Centino as new military leader

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Then AFP Maj. Gen. Andres Centino attends a meeting with the Special Committee on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations on Feb. 18, 2020. Handout, Philippine Mission to the United Nations New York/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/11/12/20210515-centino-andres-general-ho.jpg"/><figcaption>Then AFP Maj. Gen. Andres Centino attends a meeting with the Special Committee on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations on Feb. 18, 2020. Handout, Philippine Mission to the United Nations New York/File</figcaption></figure></div><div> </div>MANILA (UPDATE)— President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Army chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino as the new head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacañang said on Friday. Duterte &quot;approved and signed the designation&quot; of Centino as AFP Chief of Staff effective Nov. 12, 2021, said Palace spokesman Harry Roque. Centino replaces outgoing chief of staff Jose Faustino Jr., who ends his 4-month stint after the reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Centino is a former AFP deputy chief of staff for operations and infantry division commander in Northern Mindanao.He will be the 11th AFP chief under Duterte. He could be the last until the President ends his term in 2022. &quot;We are confident that Gen. Centino will continue the initiatives of his predecessors to bring lasting peace and development in the country while securing the State and upgrading our defense capability,&quot; Roque said in a statement. &quot;We wish the success of Gen. Centino in his new role as AFP Chief,&quot; he continued. Both Faustino and Centino are members of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988. AFP spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said Centino&#x27;s appointment &quot;will prompt an upward movement in the AFP leadership that will further inspire our soldiers to surpass challenges with excellence and continue our campaign towards genuine transformation.&quot;&quot;He has immense knowledge and experience in leading our troops on the ground and in supporting peaceful efforts to protect our people against various threats,&quot; he added. <div>DUTERTE THANKS FAUSTINO</div>Faustino turned over the helm of the military to Centino at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City during a change of command ceremony earlier in the day.In a recorded message, President Rodrigo Duterte thanked Faustino for his service.“To General Jose Faustino Jr.: Mabuhay ka and I wish you all the best,” he said.The President did not give a message to Centino, the incoming AFP chief. In his acceptance speech, Centino said it is his distinct honor to be the 57th chief of staff of the AFP.“The AFP has been a reliable instrument in maintaining peace in our country… I am deeply honored and humbled to lead and serve the entire AFP,” he said.“Under my leadership, we will align all our efforts in 4 thrusts: operational efficiency, interoperability, optimal use of resources, and advancing professionalism and meritocracy in the AFP,” he added.Centino stressed the armed forces&#x27; role in safeguarding the 2022 national elections.“It is the AFP’s duty to make sure that the will of the people is carried out. We must ensure an honest, secure and peaceful national elections,” he said.Centino will lead the 140,000-strong AFP.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/05/21/dutertes-generals-revolving-doors-and-how-they-lead-military-men-back-to-government">Duterte&#x27;s Generals: Revolving doors and how they lead military men back to government</a></li></ul><div> - With reports from Jamaine Punzalan and Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News</div>

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Army chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino as the new head of the AFP. 