Gumiran assumes command as 68th PH Army chief

MANILA. Philippines — Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran formally assumed command as the 68th commanding general of the Philippine Army (PA) on Tuesday, succeeding new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete.

“Our mandate remains the same and we will continue to be a beacon of stability and unity. To our commanders across all levels, your leadership will continue to shape the future of our organization,” Gumiran said in his speech during the change of command ceremony at Fort Andres Bonifacio in Taguig City.

Gumiran vowed to continue Nafarrete’s six pillars — stewardship, transformation, readiness, organizational development, and nation building — in leading the country’s Army moving forward. 

He added that, among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first instructions to him, was to ensure the orderly and peaceful conduct of the first parliamentary elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in September.

“To this end, we will continuously improve our contingencies and continue to rehearse them through constant planning, training, exercises and evaluations. We must prepare for what the future holds. In the very near future, among the first instructions of our commander-in-chief to the AFP is to ensure the credible, orderly and peaceful conduct of the historic first BARMM parliamentary elections,” he said.

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Meanwhile, Nafarrete, who succeeded retiring Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. as AFP chief, expressed confidence in Gumiran during his speech following the change-of-command ceremony.

“As I relinquish this command, I ask all personnel of the Philippine Army to extend to Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran the same commitment, loyalty, professionalism, and unity that you have shown me. I am confident that under his leadership, the Philippine Army will continue to grow stronger and reach even greater heights,” Nafarrete said.

Marcos directed the newly installed PA commanding general to keep troops prepared and alert for response and disaster operations as heavy rains and other natural disasters continue to affect the country.

READ: Marcos to new Army chief: Keep troops ready for disaster related ops

He, moreover, assured the Army of the administration’s support in investing in the troop’s capabilities, as well as safeguards on their welfare and their families. /das