links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/491-general-ano-retires-relinquishes-top-military-post-to-ltgen-guerrero
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General
Eduardo Año bows out of the military service Thursday, 26 October 2017,
after 38 years of service in the AFP as a cadet in the Philippine
Military Academy and as an officer in the Philippine Army.
General Año relinquished his post as
Chief of Staff AFP to Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, the incumbent
Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City.
“General Año’s term as Chief of Staff
was characterized by a series of successful campaigns against armed
groups, particularly the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Daesh-inspired
Maute-ISIS group, and the New People’s Army,” Col Arevalo said.
One of the highlights of his career is
the successful neutralization of the ASG threat in the province of
Bohol in April where government troops foiled a kidnapping attempt by 11
terrorists. To date, the AFP has neutralized 343 ASG personalities
since December 2016, and gained 267 firearms from the terrorists.
General Año’s term was also marked by
significant numbers of mass surrenders from the terrorist group which is
attributed to the intensified employment of combat, intelligence and
civil-military operations.
Likewise, the AFP neutralized 192
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and 1,010 Maute-ISIS members,
including those in Marawi since 09 December 2017.
General Año also upped the tempo of
focused military operations against the Communist Party of the
Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
“He has dealt thus far the severest
blow against the CPP-NPA-NDF hierarchy by neutralizing high-value
targets and personalities such as the Tiamzon couple, NPA Leoncio Pitao
alias Kumander Parago, and members of the Alex Boncayao Brigade,” says
Colonel Arevalo.
Consolidated reports from field units
revealed that a total of 660 NPA rebels were killed, captured, or have
surrendered from 04 February to 25 October 2017. A total of 548
high-powered and low-powered firearms were either recovered or
voluntarily turned over by the NPA.
Moreover, through its continuing
internal security efforts, the AFP was able to clear 126 barangays from
the influence of the terrorists ASG and NPA.
Finally, General Año’s 38 years, six
months, and 25 day-career was capped by the liberation of Marawi City. A
total of 942 invading Daesh-inspired Maute-ISIS terrorists led by
Isnilon Hapilon and the dreaded Maute Brothers—Omar, Abdullah, and
Maddi—and more than 20 foreign fighters were neutralized in one single
operation.
“We could not have neutralized that
enormous number of terrorists in one singular operation had they not
invaded Marawi City. It was also under General Año’s term during the
crisis, that we were able to generate so much support and love from the
public,” says Colonel Arevalo.
At present, there are over P250
Million donations, and still counting, in the special Landbank account
for the AFP Marawi casualties.
Also notable in General Año’s term is
the zero-human rights violation cases against AFP during the
implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao, and the military’s support
operations to 434 anti-illegal drugs operations led by PNP and PDEA.
New Chief
The 49th Chief of Staff LtGen
Guerrero, a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Maharlika” Class
of 1984, is the current Commander of the Davao City-based Eastern
Mindanao Command. His leadership of the Command focuses on defeating the
NPA scourge that is currently concentrated in the Southern and
North-eastern Mindanao.
Prior to his current post, he was the
Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division based in the Visayas. He was also
the Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army; Commander of 701st Infantry
Brigade; and Commander of Task Force Davao.
He is also a decorated military
officer, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Star four times;
the Order of Lakandula (Degree of Commander); the Philippine Legion of
Honor (Degree of Officer); and the Honorary Airborne Wings from the
Royal Thai Army; among others.
LTGen Guerrero is happily married to Ms Jayne Revatores Guerrero with three sons and a daughter.
“My 38 years in service to the
military and to the Filipino has been both a humbling and an uplifting
experience. I may not have left any tangible legacy in the AFP but I am
leaving with a sense of pride knowing that together with the Team AFP, I
have fulfilled my dream as a young lieutenant, for people to love,
respect and care for their Armed Forces,” General Año said.
“What I am sure now is that the AFP is
in good hands. With confidence, I know that LtGen Guerrero is fit to
lead the AFP in meeting both its old and new emergeing challenges with
our soldiers’ head held high, their eyes fierce with courage and
determination, and their heart longing for peace,” General Año added.
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