(UPDATE) Aquino names new army chief

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III today appointed Maj. Gen. Hernando Iriberri as the new chief of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army.

Iriberri, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, succeeded Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes who retired from service after he turned 56 - the mandatory retirement age for soldiers.

"As the new head, I expect you to show exceptional strength, discipline and dedication in order to continue the transformation of the Philippine Army," Aquino said in his speech during the change of command ceremony.

Iriberri, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, also served as the senior military defense adviser of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.