New Philippine Army chief assumes post

The military’s former Eastern Mindanao chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino Jr., formally assumed command on Tuesday of the 100,000-strong Philippine Army. Faustino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy’s Class of 1988, vowed to push for capability upgrades in the Army, including countering cyberthreats and prudent spending of resources. “We shall aim for quick deployment with readily available troop requirements,” Faustino said in his speech, adding that holistic career and personal advancement programs will be put in place to continuously improve troop morale and welfare. Faustino was formerly the training group commander of the Scout Ranger training school; commanding officer of the Army 11th intelligence and security unit; and served in Sulu as commander of the 1st Infantry Division’s 35th Infantry Battalion and the 501st Infantry Brigade under the 5th Infantry Division. —Jeannette I. Andrade