Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 12) – The Commander of the Philippine Army, Lieutenant General Andres Centino, has been appointed the new Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Centino succeeded chief of staff Jose Faustino Jr., who retired after a four-month stint.

In his speech at the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Centino told the troops to continue the streak of military victories against the enemies of the state, as they move closer to victory against all threats.

“We have gained a lot in our operational campaign to fight the threatening groups, so we must deploy all our force for the final blow which we destroy and ultimately defeat the enemies of the state,” Centino said.

Centino also reminded uniformed staff that they have a deadline to meet to end the local armed conflict before President Rodrigo Duterte resigns in June next year.

“I urge everyone to maintain our momentum, maintain our gains and remain victorious. Let us remember that the enemy is on the verge of irreversible defeat,” Centino said. “We can and we will win as we – AFP and the Filipino people – walk the possible path to inevitable victory.”

The new AFP chief of staff also pledged that under his leadership, the army would safeguard the May 2022 elections and continue to apply the rule of law in the country’s maritime territory.

Centino entered the “Maringal” class of the Philippine Military Academy in 1988, where he graduated with distinction.

Lieutenant-General Dionard Carlos, who also became the new Philippine National Police chief on Friday, and Centino belong to the same PMA group.

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The Tacloban-born Centino also earned a Masters of Management from the University of the Philippines and a Masters of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, DC.

During his military career, Centino received several awards, including four Distinguished Service Stars, the Bronze Cross Medal, the Silver Cross Medal and the Gold Cross Medal.

Centino is the 11th AFP chief appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte, and is expected to serve the longest term of up to 15 months.

In February 2023, he will be 56, the mandatory retirement age for uniformed officers across the country.