Sobejana assumes post as Army chief, vows troops won’t abuse anti-terror law

Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana formally assumed post as the new chief of the Philippine Army on Tuesday afternoon.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana presided over the change of command ceremony at the Ricarte Hall of the Philippine Army Officers' Clubhouse. Sobejana replaced Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay, who is now the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In his speech, Sobejana underscored that the soldiers of the Republic of the Philippines are "public servants, the protectors of the Filipino people and defenders of the territory."

He added that no Army troops will abuse the highly opposed anti-terrorism law, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3.

"With the recent passing of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, our operational campaigns on communist and terrorist groups will now have legal basis to lead on," Sobejana said.

"I shall see to it that no soldier will abuse the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and compel each one to exercise self-restrain and discipline in invoking and implementing the said act," he added.

Sobejana belongs to the Philippine Military Academy "Hinirang" Class of 1987. He served as commander of the Western Mindanao Command prior to his new post. — BM, GMA News