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Army commander Iriberri is new AFP chief


(Updated 5:29 p.m.) The commanding general of the Philippine Army has been named the new chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
 
Lt. General Hernando Iriberri, who has been at the helm of the Army since February 2014, takes over the top military post as Gen. Gregorio Catapang retires from the military service. Iriberri is the 46th chief of staff of the military.

Aquino presided over the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday morning and was seen seated beside Iriberri minutes before the program started.

Also present were Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former President Fidel V. Ramos, Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Philippine National Police office-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina, former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, former chiefs of staff Alexander Yano, Generoso Senga, Victor Ibrado, Hermogenes Esperon Jr, Muntinlupa Rep Rodolfo Biazon, other members of the House of Representatives, members of the diplomatic corps, among others.
 
Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, in his prayer for Iriberri during the ceremony, asked God to bless the new AFP chief "with the gift of stillness to be able to listen to the desires of the commander-in-chief, our President Benigno Aquino, that strings from the needs of the people."

“Bless him (Iriberri) with the gift of calmness to stay mindful and aware of the perspective, meaning, and purpose of complicated situations that we are confronted with,” he added.



Ties with Gazmin

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983, Iriberri is closely identified with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, for whom he served as spokesman and senior military assistant in the past. 

This association made him a strong contender for the top AFP post, military sources said. 

Iriberri said he is proud to be identified with Gazmin because he learned a lot from the former Army chief himself. Still, he pointed out that his track record could speak for him.
 
“My record speaks for myself and I'm proud to be palaging naa-identify kay Secretary because I learned a lot from him. And a lot of officers, even former chiefs of staff who have served under him, you ask can them how he is as a leader. We learned a lot from him,” said Iriberri.

A senior military official said Iriberri was chosen among at least three top contenders, including Southern Luzon Command Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya (PMA Class 83), Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado (PMA 82) and Western Command chief Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez (PMA 82).

"At zero hour, it was (Iriberri)," the official said.

Iriberri is set to retire in April 2016, a month before the presidential polls.

Iriberri previously served a commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade in the Cordillera region, and Chief of United Command Staff of the Southern Luzon Command.
 
With more than 30 years in active military service, he has received numerous awards, including five Distinguished Service Stars, two Gold Cross Medals, one Bronze Cross Medal, and several Military Merit Medals and Military Commendation Medals.

Raps before Ombudsman
 
But Iriberri is facing criminal and administrative cases before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged failure to issue documents for three procurement projects worth P97.7 million.
 
The complainant, supplier Joavi Philippines Corp., is seeking a six-month preventive suspension against him.
 
In an interview with reporters after the change of command ceremony, Iriberri said he will answer the charges at the proper forum.
 
“Alam ninyo ‘yung ammunition deal, I am ready to answer all the accusations [at] the right forum, in the proper procedure. Nandyan na iyan sa Ombudsman and I will answer it there,” he said.

AFP Grandstand

Unlike in the previous years, the change of command ceremony was held inside the AFP Commissioned Officers Club due to inclement weather. Change of command ceremonies are usually held at the AFP Grandstand with the traditional parade of troops. 
 
President Aquino arrived at exactly 10 a.m. and immediately proceeded to the venue. After the processional and entry of colors, the ceremony started with invocation and the reading and signing of the relinquishment and assumption orders of Catapang and Iriberri, respectively.
 
The command symbol and saber was then turned over by Catapang to Iriberri who delivered his assumption speech afterwards.
 
The AFP also presented Catapang with command plaque and plaque of honorable service while his wife Vilma was given a plaque of appreciation. — with Rose-An Jessica Dioquino and Amita Legaspi/RSJ/KG/TJD, GMA News

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