Malacañang wished Major General Andres Centino the best of luck in leading the Philippine Army, saying he will be able to lead the group to greater heights.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was reported that President Duterte ahs appointed Centino as the new Army chief on Saturday.
In a statement, Roque said Centino was appointed to the post on May 14.
"The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the designation of MGEN Andres C. Centino as Commanding General of the Philippine Army on May 14, 2021," he said.
The Palace official expressed confidence that Centino will lead the Army well in carrying the government troops' duty of protecting the country and the people.
"We are confident that MGEN Centino will continue the initiatives to professionalize and modernize the principal branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines while building the gains to serve our people and secure our land," he said.
"All the best to the new Army chief," he added.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Saturday confirmed the promotion of Centino, replacing Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. who served as acting chief of the army last February when Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana was promoted to AFP chief.
"The General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of the Philippines welcomes the designation of MGEN Andres Centino as Commanding General of the Philippine Army," AFP spokesperson Major General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.
"His appointment came at the time when the AFP is vigorously pursuing its initiatives and building on its gains to defeat the Communist Terrorist Group, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the BIFF. And this is where his attributes are expected to contribute immensely," he added.
Centino belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Maringal Class of 1988 and is a former commander of the army's 4th Infantry Division in Northern Mindanao.