Vice President Leni Robredo lifted the morale of the military when she visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Friday, November 26.
Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, AFP Chief of Staff, had this to say after the presidential aspirant’s customary courtesy call which he described as “very uplifting.”
“Being graced with the presence of the country's Second-in-Command is a direct expression of the unwavering support that our civilian leadership bestows to our Armed Forces,” Centino said on Saturday, Nov. 27.
Centino received Robredo in a traditional military honors at the GHQ Canopy Area upon her arrival.
Then, a command briefing between Robredo and the country’s top generals followed at the Silid Lapu-Lapu at the GHQ Building where the Vice President was briefed on the military’s ongoing programs and initiatives, particularly in the implementation of the Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) “Kapayapaan.”
Under DSSP Kapayapaan, vigorous military support operations are being focused to ensure that development interventions reach communities especially those affected by armed conflicts.
Centino said Robredo’s “grounded policy guidance” which is “complemented by firm policy actions” is “positively steering the country towards achieving a truly equitable socio-economic agenda for the Filipino people.”
Centino also assured Robredo of the AFP's “solid support in the furtherance of the country's progress by ensuring sustainable peace and security in the countryside.”
“With the Vice President's unceasing trust and confidence in our organization, we in the Armed Forces shall always be at our best in demonstrating our strong resolve to exemplify excellence and professionalism in all our undertakings,” Centino said.
Robredo was also informed of the significant milestones in the military’s ongoing transformation journey aligned with the AFP Transformation Roadmap.
Meanwhile, Robredo congratulated Centino for his recent appointment as Chief of Staff, and thanked him for the military’s support in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Centino took command of the AFP last Nov. 12.
She also commended the AFP for gaining a “solid trust and confidence” from the Filipino people which “at no point did the AFP squander that trust.”
“The AFP is an able partner of our office especially during the start of the pandemic. We are appreciative of the fact that even during the pandemic you received us,” Robredo said.