Coballes is new Army chief at ‘challenging and delicate’ time

Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes. Photo courtesy of Army Public Affairs

MANILA, Philippines – Amid pouring rain at the open grounds of the Philippine Army Headquarters which drenched parading troops, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes on Tuesday assumed post as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

He replaced newly installed AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, who was recently designated as AFP Chief of Staff.

The event was graced by guest of honor President and Commander-in-Chief Benigno Aquino III at Fort Bonifacio.

No word has been said on who will replace Coballes as vice chief of staff.

A Mindanao veteran, Coballes will take charge of the military’s most dominant branch of service at 80,000-strong.

He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1980.

Aquino reiterated in his speech that the upcoming elections would be “a challenge to the military” and at the same time he also hit early campaigners.

“Habang kaliwa’t kanan ang mga palabas ng mga kandidatong nagpapakitang gilas at maagang pangangampanya, tungkulin ng mga sundalo ang mapanatali ang kapanatagan ng ating taong bayan,” he said.

(While candidates intensify their early campaigning, it’s the prime duty of soldiers to make the citizens feel secure.)

Coballes, meanwhile, admitted that it is a “delicate time” to be an Army chief.

“I’d admit that it is a very delicate time to be CGPA. Especially now that midterm election is fast approaching,” he said.

“To be designated as CGPA is an honor, but it comes with a challenge,” Coballes added.