Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran, newly-installed commanding general of the Philippine Army (CGPA), said he will put combat readiness, preparation for external security threats, and support for the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro region at the top of his agenda as he takes charge of the country’s largest military service.

Gumiran assumed command as the 68th Army chief on Tuesday, Aug. 11, in a ceremony at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City where he stressed that the service must preserve its gains against internal security threats while preparing for a more demanding security environment.

“We have achieved great strides in our internal security efforts. Protect and sustain those gains while we prepare against external security threats,” Gumiran, a product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992, said in his assumption speech.

The new Army chief said preparation would have to go beyond plans on paper as he ordered the continuous improvement and rehearsal of military contingencies through planning, training, exercises and evaluations.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) earlier said it continues to strengthen its capacity for territorial defense while dealing with remaining internal security concerns.

Meanwhile, Gumiran also identified the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Sept. 14 as an immediate operational priority.

He said the elections will be a major test for security forces tasked with helping ensure that voters can participate in the historic exercise peacefully and without intimidation.

“We must prepare for what the future holds,” Gumiran said. “In the very near future, among the first instructions of our Commander-in-Chief to the AFP is to ensure the credible, orderly, and peaceful conduct of the historic first BARMM parliamentary elections.”

“The Philippine Army will stand ready to help protect this defining moment, not only as an exercise of democracy, but as a testament to the people’s enduring hope for lasting peace in Mindanao,” he added.

Prior to being the Army chief, Gumiran had served as commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), overseeing security operations in Western Mindanao.

He also previously commanded the 6th Infantry "Kampilan" Division (6ID) and the 602nd Infantry Brigade, and held key leadership positions in the 7th Infantry Battalion and the 38th Infantry Battalion.

He succeeded Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, who now serves as the 61st Chief of Staff of the AFP.

During his assumption, Gumiran also outlined his leadership priorities around the “S.T.R.O.N.G.” command framework, which is aimed at building a more capable and future-ready force.

It refers to “stewardship” or responsible leadership; “transformation” or continuous modernization of personnel and assets; “readiness” for maintaining a mission-ready force; “organizational development” for building stronger institutions, “nation-building” for contributing to national peace, security and development; and “God-fearing” for grounding the military service in faith, integrity, humility, moral courage and commitment to God, the Constitution and the Filipino people.

“These six pillars shall guide our decisions, shape our priorities, and define our institutional culture as we move forward with one enduring vision: Strong Army. Strong Nation,” he said.

“The challenges before us will continue to change, but our dedication to the Filipino people must always remain constant,” he added.