By: Aaron B. Recuenco
Lieutenant General Rey Leonardo Guerrero took over yesterday as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff and vowed to repay President Duterte for appointing him by serving the country with selfless dedication and leading the AFP with purpose.
“A soldier’s life is defined largely by the service he renders, his fidelity to the flag, and his unwavering dedication to security the peace, all these I adhere to, all these I pledge as I take on the challenge of leading the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the 49th Chief of Staff,” said Guerrero in his acceptance speech.
“The priorities in the area of peace and security are clear, finish the remaining terrorist groups, neutralize the communist insurgency threat, and support law enforcement agencies in efforts against lawless armed groups,” he added.
A member of the Philippine Military Academy Maharlika Class of 1984, Guerrero was the commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command which is based in Davao City, the hometown of Duterte and where he was mayor for more than 20 years.
He also headed the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, the 701st Infantry Brigade, and the Task Force Davao.
Guerrero was rumored to replace AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Ano as early as June after Duterte promised to appoint him as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
But the Marawi City siege forced Duterte to let Ano stay at the AFP until the Marawi crisis is over.
Ano reached the mandatory retirement age of 56 for the military yesterday.