Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
22 January 2013
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the Testimonial Review in Honor of Lieutenant General Emmanuel T. Bautista who formally relinquished his post as Commanding General of the Philippine Army in a Change of Command held at Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Lt. Gen. Noel A. Coballes assumed the post as the Army’s 55th Commanding General, replacing Lt. Gen. Bautista who was recently installed as the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines.
In his message, President Aquino hailed the two military officers for their accomplishments and expressed his confidence in their leadership once they assume their respective positions. He also assured the rest of the armed forces of his administration’s support with the recent passage of the New AFP Modernization Act whereby P75 billion will be allotted in the next five years.
“Kaya naman agresibo po nating pinauunlad ang inyong kakayahan, mula sa sistema ng active deployment at training, hanggang sa rest and recreation…Ang hangad natin: kasabay ng puspusang pagsasanay, ay masiguro ring hindi mangangalawang ang kaalaman ng ating mga kawal sa bawat aspeto ng serbisyo, at higit pang mapaunlad ang potensyal ng ating Sandatahang Lakas,” the Commander-in-Chief said.
Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes served as the AFP’s 40th Vice Chief of Staff and is described as a “battle-hardened soldier who had served in the battlefields of Mindanao for more than fourteen (14) years.” He is among the most bemedalled military officers in the AFP, a distinguished and seasoned Ranger Officer who figured in many battles in Luzon and Mindanao.
He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Mapitagan” Class of 1980, finishing at the Top 15 out of 106 cadets.
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