President Duterte has appointed Philippine Army commanding general Lt. Gen. Andres Centino as the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Centino will replace General Jose Faustino whose mandatory retirement age of 56 is today, Nov. 12. Centino is the 57th AFP chief of staff.
“He has immense knowledge and experience in leading our troops on the ground and in supporting peaceful efforts to protect our people against various threats,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Ramon Zagala.
“His integrity, management acumen and genuine desire for peace and development make him a competent leader who shall guide the AFP in fulfilling its mission while supporting national efforts to battle the current pandemic,” he added.
The announcement of Centino’s appointment was made while his mistah, Police Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos has assumed the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Both Centino and Carlos are members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1988. Centino graduated cum laude at the PMA.
Before his appointment as Army commanding general, Centino served as the commander of the 4th Infantry Division.
He also served as commander of the 26th Infantry Battalion, secretary of the Army General Staff of the 4th Infantry Division, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade, and depuyty chief of staff for Operations of the AFP.
Centino has undergone both local and foreign trainings such as the Basic Airborne Course; Infantry Officer Basic Course; VIP Security Operations Training; Scout Ranger Course, where he had graduated at the top of his class, CounterIntelligence Operations Course, Intelligence Officer Course; Military Intelligence Collection Course; Training Development Course; and Infantry Officer Advance Course.
He also finished his Command and General Staff Course at the AFP Command and General Staff College, where he had graduated as part of the top ten of his class.
Centino is a holder of Master’s Degree in Management from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Washington, D.C. United States. He is also a graduate of the Strategic Business Economics Program from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Centino was a recipient of various awards and decorations such as four Distinguished Service Stars, a Gold Cross Medal, Silver Cross Medal, and Bronze Cross Medal, CSAFP Commendation Medal and Ribbon, Long Service Medal, several Merit Medals both for combat and administration, and several Certificates of Commendation and Appreciation from the military and civilian sector.
Zagala said the appointment of Centino will prompt an upward movement in the AFP leadership.