President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to remain faithful to their sworn duties to the country and the people.
The President made the call as he administered the oath of office of 39 top AFP officials on Monday.
“Malaki ang inyong katungkulan na [gagampanan] pa. Mabigat pa ang mga gawaing naghihintay sa inyo. Marami pa tayong misyon na haharapin. At higit sa lahat, malaki ang inaasahan sa inyo ng sambayanan na ating pinaglilingkuran at ng Republika na ating pinagtatanggol at minamahal,” President Marcos told the newly promoted military officials.
President Marcos said the added stars conferred upon them are reminders of their heavier responsibility to the country and the people.
“Malaki ang inyong katungkulan na [gagampanan] pa. Mabigat pa ang mga gawaing naghihintay sa inyo. Marami pa tayong misyon na haharapin. At higit sa lahat, malaki ang inaasahan sa inyo ng sambayanan na ating pinaglilingkuran at ng Republika na ating pinagtatanggol at minamahal,” President Marcos said.
“Huwag natin silang biguin. Iyan ang kapalit ng bago ninyong ranggo. Iyan ang sukli sa kanilang pananalig sa inyo,” the President told the AFP led by Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.
Of the 39 newly promoted military officers, 20 of them are from the Philippine Army (PA); nine from the Philippine Navy (PN); nine from the Philippine Air Force (PAF); and one from the Chaplain Service (CHS).
The President also hopes that the added stars on their shoulders may serve as an inspiration in performing their duties with utmost dedication, professionalism, and integrity worthy of emulation as he urged them to “be a boot on the ground, or be among them, and still command from the front.”
“I know that until the last hour of your last day in office, you will do your work that honors our oath, respects our uniform, earns the admiration of our peers, and affirms the prestige that you have earned through a lifetime of service,” President Marcos said.
“That you will uphold the principles that made you patriots, professionals, always compliant with command, faithful to our Constitution, loyal to our country and mindful of our conscience,” the chief executive added.
President Marcos extended his congratulations to the newly promoted AFP officials.
He said their promotion “is a recognition that is built on merit, as all professional advancement in the armed services should be.”
Despite their promotion, the President noted that their new rank does not send them yet out to their last patrol as they still have “much still left to do, missions to accomplish, service to be selflessly rendered to the people” they have sworn to protect at all cost.
“If any, the stars on your shoulder do not just indicate rank, but are reminders of the responsibilities— added responsibilities that you now have to carry on your shoulders. The more stars there are, the heavier the responsibility. Be mindful always of the weight that that carries. After all, the load that you feel are in fact our people’s hopes,” President Marcos said.
“Especially now that we are at the juncture of our history where our nation faces complex security challenges. The response to which requires bold thinking, brave action, which, I know, you can supply in abundant amounts, as befits your rank, and you can summon from your previous experience,” he added.
The 39 newly promoted military officers are Army Lt. Gen. Steve Crespillo; Maj. Gens. Arvin Lagamon; Edmundo Peralta; Allan Hambala; Leodevic Guinid; Ramon Zagala; and Domingo Gobway; Brig. Gens Generals Benedict Balaba; Ramon Flores; Jose Jesus Luntok; and Antonio John Divinagracia.
Army Brigadier Gen. Arsenio Sadural was also among the newly promoted officials along with Brig. Gens. Ramon Antonio Bello; Emilio Pajarillo Jr.; Jose Vladimir Cagara; Febie Lamerez; Jose Ricky Laniog; Romualdo Raymund Landingin; Mario Jacinto; and Samuel Manzano.
Commodores Salvador Henry Quinto and Peter Jempsun de Guzman of the PN were also promoted along with Brig. Gen. Ivan D.R. Papera, Commodores Salvador Lavapie Jr. and Brendo Casaclang, Brig. Gen. Romulo Quemado; Commodores Lemuel Espartinez and Jerry Garrido Jr., and Brig. Gen. Ronaldo Juan.
On the part of the Philippine Air Force, the newly promoted are Maj. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales; Brig. Gens. Lloyd Cabacuñgan, Fernando Ventura; Joselito Lopena; Thad Rufino Candelario; Loreto Pasamonte; Gleen Albert Laguardia; Alvin Hate; and Josel Zuñiga.
Brig. Gen. Daniel Tansip of the Chaplain Service was also among the promoted. PND