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Philippine Army Gets New Chief

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MANILA:  Major General Andres C Centino is now Commanding General of the Philippine Army effective May 18, 2021. He took over the helm of leadership from Acting Commanding General Lt Gen. Jose C Faustino Jr in a change of command ceremony presided by Secretary of National Defence Delfin N Lorenzana.

“The change of command ceremony manifests the vibrancy and dynamism of the organization. I congratulate the two outstanding men of the hour who have proven their exceptional leadership in the premiere service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Secretary Lorenzana.

Formerly the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Commander, Maj Gen Centino focused on the enhancement of the division’s military operations that resulted in huge blows against the Communist-Terrorist Groups.

Prior to his appointment, he held various key positions in the Philippine Army. He served as the Battalion Commander of the 26th Infantry Battalion in 2008; Secretary Army General Staff in 2013; Commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade in 2017; and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3, Armed Forces of Philippines in 2019 before becoming the Commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division in 2020.

Maj Gen Centino is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988.

Lt Gen Faustino, on the other hand, is also a member of the Philippine Military “Maringal” class of 1988. Under his leadership as the CGPA since February 2021, the Philippine Army was able to empower and enhance the command’s COVID-19 response, strengthen its territorial defence against insurgency, and intensify its war fighting capabilities.

–pa/adj/aaa (Photo: Philippine Army)