Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), has encouraged the Philippine Army (PA) to continue their resolve to protect the Filipinos and the nation against the enemies of the State while also rendering additional duties to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Faustino expressed his support and commended the Army troopers when he personally visited the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City last Friday, Aug. 13.
The AFP Chief delivered a virtual "Talk to Troops" where he urged the troops to "soldier on" in their efforts to ensure that the communities are safe from the threats of communist insurgents, terrorists, and other internal and external threats amid the pandemic.
"I urge every officer, enlisted personnel, and civilian human resource of the Philippine Army to draw inspiration from our successes, and capitalize on these as we achieve more in the days ahead. Our continued triumphs rest on our collective firm resolve and cooperation to exceed what we have already accomplished in the past," he said.
During his visit, Faustino was briefed by Maj. Gen. Andres Centino, Army Commanding General, on the command's current and future operational plans and COVID-19 mitigation efforts.
Part of this is the continuous vaccination of the soldiers against COVID-19 to keep them protected while serving in the frontlines of the fight against the pandemic.
Since the pandemic started last year, President Duterte has tapped the military in delivering medical equipment, personnel, and vaccines around the country. Soldiers have also been manning quarantine checkpoints and isolation facilities nationwide.
Faustino noted that all of these were being done as the Army continues its relentless campaign to finish off the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army (CPP-NPA), local terrorists, and other security threats in and out of the country.
"Karapat-dapat lamang na masigurado nating napupunan ang pangangailangan ng mga tropang sumasabak sa pakikipaglaban sa mga bandido at rebeldeng grupo na nais sirain ang katahimikan ng ating bayan (It is just right that we make sure all the needs of our troops are met as they battle against bandits and rebel groups who want to destroy the peace in our nation)," he said.
Meanwhile, Centino awarded Faustino with the "Combat Kagitingan Badge" level of major service commander for his brief stint as the PA Commanding General.
Prior to being named the AFP Chief last month, Faustino was designated the Army Chief back in February but he was removed three months later since Republic Act 8186 prohibits officers from taking major service command posts, except as the AFP Chief, if they have less than one year of active service prior to compulsory retirement.
Faustino will reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 years old for military personnel in November.
Faustino also received from Centino the Sable de Mando of General Emilio Aguinaldo Sword which serves as a symbol of the Philippine Revolutionary Army’s command, combat prowess, and victory in 1989.