MANILA, Philippines -- The new chief of the military's National Capital Region command encouraged soldiers watching over Metro Manila to be champions of human rights as he took over the post in simple rites at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday.

"I expect our soldiers to be champions of human rights without sacrificing our efforts against the enemies of the state,? said Major General Jogy Leo Fojas in a speech during the turnover ceremony.

"Protecting human rights is a constitutional mandate. Let us therefore show the people and make them feel that we are their able and real protectors," he said.

He replaced Major General Arsenio Arugay, whose retirement from the military service took effect Friday.

As the new head, Fojas also vowed that the NCR command, which has been touted as the AFP's anti-coup force, will be a unit "loved by the people" working closely with local government units and the police in the pursuit of peace and development.
Reminding his men to respect and remain loyal to the chain of command, Fojas warned that the reward and punishment system will be strictly enforced under his watch.

"I expect the officers and senior non-commissioned officers to lead by good example. I also expect each and everyone to strengthen, uphold, follow and respect the chain of command," he said.

Fojas is the current president of the general court martial trying former Army Scout Rangers chief Brigadier General Danilo Lim and Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin and 26 other officers linked to the 2006 Marine standoff.

The charges against them stemmed from an alleged plot by Lim and Querubin to lead soldiers in a "peaceful" withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because of allegations of election fraud.

In a phone interview with reporters on the eve of his assumption, Fojas said the NCR command would take a bolder stance in addressing attempts to overthrow the government.

"We will be bold in responding to coup attempts as far as our mandate is concerned," Fojas said on Thursday.