New AFP chief Catapang vows to pursue transformation road map
MANILA, Philippines - His appointment order for the Army top post was reportedly recalled earlier, but then Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) commander, Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang, got the better, albeit more challenging, plum on Friday as he was installed new Armed Forces Chief of Staff.
At the turnover of command at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, President Benigno Aquino III gave Catapang his marching orders: continue ongoing reforms in the military, which under Bautista had picked up pace in its modernization program amid increasing challenges in the West Philippine Sea, where China is beefing up fortification to assert its sweeping territorial claim.
“To Lt. Gen. Catapang: now that the Armed Forces has been transformed, may you maximize every opportunity under your leadership in order to further strengthen and stabilize our institution, in the name of meaningful service to the people and the flag,” said the President, speaking in Filipino.
He told Catapang he was expected not just to steer the 125,000-man AFP, but also look after the welfare of 98 million “bosses,” referring to the Filipino people.
The 45th AFP chief replaced his "mistah" (classmate) at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Dimalupig" Class of 1981, who replaced Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista Jr..
Early this year, Catapang was reportedly assured by the appointing authority he would lead the 90,000-strong Army but his appointment order was recalled in favor of a younger senior officer, now Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Irriberi (PMA "Matikas" '83).
With a younger general leading the Army, Catapang was "kicked upstairs" and became the Vice Chief of Staff, which to some military observers put him just a breath away from the AFP's top position.
A week before Bautista's retirement, expectations were high and focused on the race between Irriberi and a general from another batch, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado (PMA "Sandigan" '82).
Catapang's promise
At the turnover of command at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, President Benigno Aquino III gave Catapang his marching orders: continue ongoing reforms in the military, which under Bautista had picked up pace in its modernization program amid increasing challenges in the West Philippine Sea, where China is beefing up fortification to assert its sweeping territorial claim.
“To Lt. Gen. Catapang: now that the Armed Forces has been transformed, may you maximize every opportunity under your leadership in order to further strengthen and stabilize our institution, in the name of meaningful service to the people and the flag,” said the President, speaking in Filipino.
He told Catapang he was expected not just to steer the 125,000-man AFP, but also look after the welfare of 98 million “bosses,” referring to the Filipino people.
The 45th AFP chief replaced his "mistah" (classmate) at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Dimalupig" Class of 1981, who replaced Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista Jr..
Early this year, Catapang was reportedly assured by the appointing authority he would lead the 90,000-strong Army but his appointment order was recalled in favor of a younger senior officer, now Army chief Lt. Gen. Hernando Irriberi (PMA "Matikas" '83).
With a younger general leading the Army, Catapang was "kicked upstairs" and became the Vice Chief of Staff, which to some military observers put him just a breath away from the AFP's top position.
A week before Bautista's retirement, expectations were high and focused on the race between Irriberi and a general from another batch, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado (PMA "Sandigan" '82).
Catapang's promise
Catapang has only a year to lead the AFP, or until July 2015 before he reaches mandatory retirement age.
In his speech, Catapang promised to enhance the anti-insurgency campaign dubbed as Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), especially against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
"We shall ensure that we will not only win the peace but we will also help win progress and prosperity for our country and people," he said.
"Furthermore, we shall institutionalize the AFP transformation road map so that our country will be prepared for the global challenges of the 21st century," he added.
President Aquino is confident Catapang will lead the AFP to new heights.
"Mahirap sundan ang halimbawang nilatag ni Gen. Bautista pero sa haba ng listahan ng medalya at karangalang nakakabit sa pangalang Gregorio Pio Catapang tiwala tayong maipagpapatuloy ang gumagandang sitwasyon ng Sandatahang Lakas [It’s hard to match the example set by General Bautista, but with the long list of medals and recognition attached to the name of Gregorio Pio Catapang, I trust that the positive transformation of the Armed Forces will continue] ," the President said.
Govt post for Bautista
Mr. Aquino lavished praise on Bautista for steering the AFP through some of its toughest challenges, mostly in year 2013: the Sabah crisis of February, the Zamboanga siege in September, the kidnapping of Fililpino peacekeepers in Golan heights, the October earthquake in Bohol and Cebu and typhoon Yolanda in November.
“He has been weighed so many times. His skills and dedication have been pout to the test. No one could say that he did not succeed,” the commander-in-chief said of Bautista.
The president conferred on Bautista the Presidential Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander, and widely hinted he will appoint him to a civilian post after a “one-month vacation” when he retires on reaching age 56 this Sunday.
In his speech, Catapang promised to enhance the anti-insurgency campaign dubbed as Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP), especially against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
"We shall ensure that we will not only win the peace but we will also help win progress and prosperity for our country and people," he said.
"Furthermore, we shall institutionalize the AFP transformation road map so that our country will be prepared for the global challenges of the 21st century," he added.
President Aquino is confident Catapang will lead the AFP to new heights.
"Mahirap sundan ang halimbawang nilatag ni Gen. Bautista pero sa haba ng listahan ng medalya at karangalang nakakabit sa pangalang Gregorio Pio Catapang tiwala tayong maipagpapatuloy ang gumagandang sitwasyon ng Sandatahang Lakas [It’s hard to match the example set by General Bautista, but with the long list of medals and recognition attached to the name of Gregorio Pio Catapang, I trust that the positive transformation of the Armed Forces will continue] ," the President said.
Govt post for Bautista
Mr. Aquino lavished praise on Bautista for steering the AFP through some of its toughest challenges, mostly in year 2013: the Sabah crisis of February, the Zamboanga siege in September, the kidnapping of Fililpino peacekeepers in Golan heights, the October earthquake in Bohol and Cebu and typhoon Yolanda in November.
“He has been weighed so many times. His skills and dedication have been pout to the test. No one could say that he did not succeed,” the commander-in-chief said of Bautista.
The president conferred on Bautista the Presidential Legion of Honor with the degree of Chief Commander, and widely hinted he will appoint him to a civilian post after a “one-month vacation” when he retires on reaching age 56 this Sunday.
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