‘I have fought the good fight,’ Lorenzana says as defense chief stint ends

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) holds a testimonial parade and review in honor of outgoing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who will end his term on June 30. AFP photo

MANILA, Philippines — “I have fought the good fight.”

So said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as he received honors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

In a statement on Wednesday, the AFP said it held a testimonial parade and review in honor of Lorenzana on Tuesday.

In a speech, Lorenzana expressed gratitude to colleagues he has worked with for the last six years.

“When I look back at my military career that started when I was a cadet in high school, followed by my cadetship in the Philippine Military Academy, commissionship in the Army, and all throughout those years until today, I couldn’t have achieved what I have done or reached this high, this far, without the help, assistance, and mentorship of so many people along the way,” Lorenzana said.

“Of course, it is also because I belong to a very professional organization – the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I have no regrets, I have fought the good fight. It was all an exciting, challenging, and personally rewarding journey,” he added.

The parade was led by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino.

“The Testimonial Parade & Review is the AFP’s acknowledgment of the contribution and service of the SND [Lorenzana], a collective salute and appreciation of his life in government service. Today’s honoree deserves no less than our snappiest salutes and our loudest cheers,” Centino said.

Centino then recalled Lorenzana’s leadership during the Marawi crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the implementation of Barangay Development Program as well as Department of Public Works and Highway’s national security program called Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad (TIKAS).

READ: Lorenzana inaugurates Army building in Nueva Ecija

Centino also lauded Lorenzana’s efforts to advance the implementation of the AFP modernization program.

“The SND [Lorenzana] was also on top of the pressing need to ensure that our personnel would have the technical proficiency to utilize the modern assets and equipment to the fullest,” the AFP chief said.

“Today, the AFP can say we have better workspaces, living quarters, medical health facilities, and road networks, all of which means a stronger, more productive, and more responsive AFP,” he added. — Iliana Padigos, INQUIRER.net intern

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