Duterte to AFP: Continue fight vs. terrorism, insurgency under new chief Clement

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday enjoined soldiers to continue the fight against terrorism and insurgency under newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement.

Clement took over the helm of the AFP from General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. in a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Duterte missed the event, his first since assuming office in June 2016, due to a slight fever. He was represented by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who read the President’s message for the change of command ceremony.

“I now enjoin the troops to continue the fight against the threats of terrorism and insurgency under the leadership of the new Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Noel Clement,” Duterte said.

“As your Commander-in-Chief, I assure you that the Philippine government will continue to support you as we upgrade your capabilities and pursue initiatives in securing the safety of every Filipino.”

Duterte also told the troops that the nation is behind them as they “bravely march towards the battlefield to advance the common good and secure genuine and lasting change for our motherland.”

Clement earlier said fighting communist groups was not solely the work of the military, adding that he plans to engage more sectors in curbing the insurgency problem.

Duterte meanwhile congratulated Madrigal for his “remarkable” nine-month tour of duty as AFP chief.

“You have made a mark in this noble institution by initiating and pursuing organizational reforms to strengthen its operational effectiveness,” he said.

Duterte credited Madrigal for the increase in the AFP’s authorized troop strength, the activation of the 4th Marine Brigade to improve command control over state forces in Jolo, Sulu and improved internal security operations that resulted in the surrender, neutralization and apprehension of thousands of local and communist terrorist group members.

The President also said the troops have remained at the forefront of humanitarian assistance and disaster response, particularly in the aftermath of the earthquake in Batanes and the capsizing of motorized bancas in Guimaras this year.

He also said that under Madrigal’s leadership hundreds of surface and air patrols were conducted in the country’s seaboards and  AFP personnel were deployed to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea, “thus bolstering our territorial defense.”

“General Madrigal, we thank you for your steadfast leadership and for ensuring that the AFP remains to be a reliable player in our whole-of-nation approach to achieving security and development in the country,” Duterte said.

Malacañang spokesperson Salvador Panelo explained Duterte's absence by saying that the President had a “punishing schedule” in the last few days, which included attending the baptism of Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco's daughter on Sunday and Panelo's private birthday celebration on Monday.

Panelo said Duterte was getting some rest in Bahay Pagbabago inside Malacañang Complex. — BM, GMA News