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Message of the AFP Chief of Staff on National Heroes' Day

The Armed Forces of the Philippines joins every Filipino in remembering the life and legacy of our national heroes who have become cornerstones of our country's freedom, independence, and democratic ideals.

Likewise, we recognize our modern day heroes who continue to defend and promote Filipino values, principles, and values that form our national identity.

Those are the people who continue to persevere in saving lives in hospitals, in producing our food and other essential supplies, and in keeping our communities safe amid this pandemic.

In today's challenges, let us continue to honor their sacrifices and remember that we can all be heroes in our own respective fields and in our own little ways.///

Lt. Gen. Bacarro assumes as new Chief of Staff, AFP

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City - Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente O Bacarro assumed as the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, replacing General Andres C Centino on Monday, August 8, in a Change of Command Ceremony presided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Maringal Class of 1988, Lt. Gen. Bacarro held command and staff positions that prepared him for his present designation. He is the current commander of Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM), which covers CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Bicol regions. Prior to his stint as SOLCOM Commander, he was the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, and Commander of the 502nd Infantry Brigade.

In 2014, he was designated as the Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Division. He later assumed as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, G3, Philippine Army, Commandant of the Philippine Military Academy, and The Internal Auditor, AFP.

Lt. Gen. Bacarro is a recipient of the Medal for Valor, the highest award for combat in the AFP, which he received in 1991 for his bravery in combat during a 10-hour encounter with 150 fully armed communist terrorists in Maconacon, Isabela.

He also earned five Distinguished Service Stars, one Silver Cross Medal, two Bronze Cross Medals, two Silver Wing Medals, and other awards for his performance in various assignments in the past.

Meanwhile, General Centino was awarded by President Marcos Jr the Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander) for successfully steering the AFP as Chief of Staff since November 12, 2021.

He capped a successful military career that included serving in various command and staff positions such as Commanding General of the Philippine Army; Commander, 4th Infantry Division; Commander of the 401st Infantry Brigade; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3; Commanding Officer of the 26th Infantry Battalion; Secretary Army General Staff among others.

As AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Centino implemented four significant thrusts in the AFP: operational efficiency, optimal use of resources, advancement of professionalism and meritocracy within the organization, and capability development. Under his leadership, the AFP enhanced the application of AFP’s Joint Operating Concept, strengthening the interoperability of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy.

Under his leadership, the AFP neutralized 1,391 communist and local terrorist personalities. The AFP was also instrumental in deradicalizing over 3,000 communist terrorists, dismantling 20 guerilla fronts, recovering 1,600 fi****ms, and clearing 565 barangays.

He also pushed for the completion of capability development projects amounting to Php37.6-billion as part of the modernization of the AFP.

– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has chosen Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, commander of the Armed Forces the Philippines – Southern Luzon Command as new AFP chief of staff, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced on Monday.

“The change of command for the new AFP chief of staff will be on August 8. This will give time for Gen. Bacarro to wind down at the SOLCOM and provide him with the transition to his new position in Camp Aguinaldo,” Cruz-Angeles said.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, Bacarro was born on Sept. 18, 1966 in San Fernando, La Union. He graduated in the upper quartile of PMA “Maringal” Class of 1988.

Angeles said outgoing CS-AFP Gen. Andres Centino, a classmate of Bacarro in PMA, is slated for a new post befitting a former chief of staff.

Republic Act 11709, signed by President Duterte on April 13 this year sets a fixed three-year tour of duty for the AFP chief of staff, vice chief of staff, the deputy chief of staff, the major service commanders (Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy), unified command commanders, and inspector general "unless sooner terminated by the President."

“Based on RA 11709, Gen. Bacarro will be the first CSAFP to be given a fixed three-year term,” Angeles said.

Shortly after graduation, Bacarro was assigned with the 5th Infantry Division in Isabela province at the height of the counter-insurgency campaign in the Cagayan Valley from June 1988 until 1995.

For seven years, he held various positions in the 5th ID including platoon leader, company commander, administrative officer, intelligence officer, operations officer, civil-military operations office and secretary to the general staff.

It was during his assignment in Isabela province that he earned his Medal of Valor, the highest award for combat in the AFP. Bacarro was then an Army Lieutenant and serving as commanding officer of the 6th CAA Company, 21st Infantry Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.

The Medal of Valor was awarded to Bacarro on Dec. 21, 1991 for his “conspicuous acts of courage, gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty” during a 10-hour encounter with 150 fully-armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who attacked the town of Maconacon, Isabela on Feb. 26, 1991.

In November 2004, he was designated Army spokesperson and chief of public affairs office in Fort Bonifacio. Later on, he became spokesperson of the AFP and chief of the Public Affairs Office in Camp Aguinaldo.

In 2014, Bacarro was designated as the chief of staff of the Army’s 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division. He was also chief of staff for operations (OG3); commander of the 502nd Brigade, 5thID, PA and Commandant of the PMA prior to his assumption as AFP internal auditor.

Bacarro has undergone specialized military trainings, both local and foreign such as the Special Operations Team Training; Paratroopers Course; Basic and Advance Infantry Officers Course in the AFP. His foreign military schooling included the Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Program in Washington DC; Peace-keeping Operations Course in Canada; Public Affairs Orientation Course in Hawaii and the US Army General Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

Bacarro’s more than 30 years in the Army earned him other awards and recognitions that include five (5) Distinguished Service Star for exemplary service; one Silver Cross Medal; two (2) Bronze Cross Medals for risking life not combat-related; two (2) Silver Wing Medals; nine (9) Combat Commander’s (Kagitingan) Badges; 36 Military Merit Medals for administrative and combat duties; several Commendations Medals and the Wounded Personnel Medal for wound sustained in combat.

He was also conferred the Philippine Military Academy Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1998. Bacarro is also a member of the Special Forces family.

Bacarro is married to Soledad Bonsato Bacarro of Baguio City. They are blessed with three children: Arnold Wilfred, Tracie Kathlynne and Piolo Jeremy. (OPS)

JSM

Off to Northern Luzon
Para sa mga Nasalanta ng Lindol

LOOK I The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, General Andres C Centino PA presides over the change of chief of office and retirement ceremony of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP on Thursday, February 24 at Tejeros Hall in Camp Aguinaldo.

Vice Admiral Erick A Kagaoan turns over the duties and responsibilities of The Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP to Rear Admiral Rommel Anthony SD Reyes as he vows down from the service after reaching the retirement age of 56.

Vice Admiral Kagaoan was also given retirement honors by the AFP in recognition of his outstanding service to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

Also in: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1274-general-centino-presides-over-change-of-chief-of-office-ceremony-of-the-otdcsafp

CHANGE OF CHIEF OF OFFICE | The Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino PA presides over the Change of Chief of Office and Retirement Ceremony for the AFP Sergeant Major on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. FCMS Aladin S Dacayanan PA, the highest-ranked Non-Commissioned Officer bowed out of service and was replaced by Master Chief Petty Officer Freddie E. Asence PN as the Acting AFPSM.

Also in: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1268-afpsm-change-of-chief-of-office

LOOK I Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Andres C. Centino PA joins Secretary of National Defense Delfin N Lorenzana in the formal acceptance, blessing, turnover, and activation of four Cessna 172S Skyhawk Trainer Aircrafts at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite on Thursday, February 10, 2022.

Said Trainer Aircrafts are procured from the United States through Foreign Military Sales Program. These will be utilized by the Naval Air Wing of the Philippine Navy.

Also in the event are officials from the Department of National Defense, and the United States Embassy led by its Chargé D'Affaires Heather Variava, and Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado PN.

Also in: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1269-cessna-skyhawks-turn-over-and-blessing

AFP, PNP, PCG agree on legal cooperation vs threat groups

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard agreed to adopt a joint legal cooperation against threat groups by signing Joint Letter Directive (JLD) No. 01-2022 in connection with the upcoming National and Local Election 2022.

The document was signed by AFP Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino PA, PNP Chief PGen Dionardo B Carlos, and PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations Eduardo D Fabricante during the 2nd COMELEC Command Conference presided by COMELEC Acting Chairperson Commissioner Socorro B Inting on Monday, 07 February 2022 in Camp Crame in Quezon City. Unit Field Commanders from the AFP, PNP, and PCG were also in attendance virtually.

Read more: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1266-afp-pnp-pcg-agree-on-legal-cooperation-vs-threat-groups

AFP Pushes to End Communist Insurgency before Pres. Duterte’s Term Ends

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — During its year-end Command Conference held at the AFP General Headquarters on 25 January 2022, the AFP leadership pushes to end the local communist insurgency by the time President Duterte’s term ends. With Major Services and Unified Commanders in attendance, AFP Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino reiterated the AFP’s urgent and key tasks for 2022—to end local armed conflict and ensure a secure and peaceful 2022 National and Local Elections.

“As your Chief of Staff, I am taking the lead in this final push of our campaign. I enjoin everyone to maintain our momentum, sustain our gains, and remain victorious. Let us finish the local armed conflict within the President’s term. As the Armed Forces of the Filipino people, we shall not fail them in their desire of having a peaceful and secure society,” General Centino concluded.

Read in full: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1261-afp-pushes-to-end-communist-insurgency-before-pres-duterte-s-term-ends

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) accorded military honors to the late General Lisandro C Abadia, former AFP Chief of Staff on January 25, 2022. General Andres C Centino PA, the current AFP Chief of Staff welcomed the family and relatives of General Abadia at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Camp Aguinaldo where the former Chief of Staff’s cremains shall stay for public viewing until January 27.

The Philippine Flag is presently displayed at half-staff in GHQ in honor of General Abadia until the interment of his cremains at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Also in: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1260-afp-honors-late-csafp-general-abadia

CHANGE OF COMMAND | The Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino PA presides over the Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony for outgoing Commander, Western Command (WESCOM) VAdm Ramil Roberto B Enriquez PN who bowed out of service after 38 years in the military. He was replaced by RAdm Alberto B Carlos PN in the ceremony held at the WESCOM Headquarters in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on 21 January 2022.

Also in: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1258-wescom-change-of-command

CHANGE OF COMMAND | Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Andres C Centino PA presides over on Monday, 24 January 2022, the Change of Command Ceremony that formally installed LtGen Ernesto C Torres Jr PA as the new Commander of Northern Luzon Command. LtGen Torres replaced MGen Andrew Costelo PA who took over as acting commander following the retirement of LtGen Arnulfo Marcelo B Burgos Jr in December last year.

Also in: https://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/1259-nolcom-change-of-command