CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The newly installed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero echoed orders from the Commander in Chief and President Rodrigo Duterte to end all threats to peace and security.
AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Marine Colonel Edgard Arevalo said that the top military officer has the experience and the current operational tempo of the AFP to undertake that task.
“Lt. Gen. Guerrero welcomes his new responsibilities with strong momentum from his leadership of the Eastern Mindanao Command, a similarly tall order given the area’s susceptibility from terror threats and insurgency,” Col Arevalo said.
As Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, LtGen Guerrero’s primary task is to dismantle NPA’s guerilla fronts that are concentrated in the Davao Region, Caraga Region, and Northern Mindanao.
He was also tasked to prevent the spread of violence and terrorism in his area of responsibility, especially during the Marawi City siege by the Maute-IS.
“The priorities in the area of peace and security are clear: finish the remaining terrorist groups, neutralize the communist insurgency threat, and support law enforcement against lawless armed groups,” Lt. Gen. Guerrero said in his assumption speech during the Change of Command Ceremony on Thursday, 26 October 2017.
The turnover was just less than a week from the termination of combat operations in Marawi City and takes off strong with gains against the Abu Sayyaf Group, characterized by numerous surrenders.
Lt. Gen. Guerrero also said that the AFP must continue with its reform programs, improve capability, and revisit war-fighting doctrines in light of new “battlefield environments.”
“We will aggressively implement our modernization program and fast-track the procurement of advance weapons systems that provide cost-effective and precise target engagement, long-range and high-endurance unmanned systems, and modern air and naval platforms,” Lt. Gen. Guerrero said.
Moreover, the AFP chief seeks to refine internal processes including improvements on services and transparency and accountability of transactions.
“My gratitude knows no bounds, and I think that the best way to show our President and our countrymen is to serve our country with selfless dedication and to lead the AFP with purpose,” Lt. Gen. Guerrero added. (AFP-PAO-PR)
