New Army chief assumes post today

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Philippine Army chief Maj. Gen. Andres Centino will officially assume the post today during turnover rites at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.

Centino will replace Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., who was named special assistant to the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief handling the AFP Peace and Development Office.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is expected to attend the turnover ceremony.

Centino was a former commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro.

He graduated cum laude as a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988.

Faustino was relieved from his post as acting Army chief in accordance with Republic Act 8186, which states that the position can only be given to AFP officials who have at least one year left in the service.

He will retire from the military service in November.