This is to express my support to the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of our men and women in uniform of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, led by:
- Major General LEODEVIC GUINID – who dedicated 37 years in the service and is currently the Vice Commander of the Philippine Army. He was conferred with a Distinguished Service Star in 2022 for his significant contributions in special operations which resulted in the successful arrest of a Saudi-based foreign terrorist and an ISIS-East Asia facilitator;
- Major General ALLAN HAMBALA – with 36 years of military service, and presently the Commander, 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, Camp General Manuel Yan, Sr. in Davao de Oro. He received a Gold Cross Medal for gallantry in action as Chief of Staff of Joint Task Force “Marawi”;
- Major General EDMUNDO PERALTA, who is with the AFP for 35 years and presently the Chief of the Intelligence Service. He is admired for being a dynamic and innovative leader and a battle-tested officer;
- Major General JESUS NELSON MORALES – a highly decorated officer who is known for his significant accomplishments and leadership achievements in the field of logistics and air operations against lawless elements. He is presently the Commander of the Presidential Security Command in Malacañang; and
- Major General RAMON ZAGALA – a third-generation military officer in his family. He is the Commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service and concurrently the Senior Military Assistant to the President. He is most familiar to many of us as he previously served as Chief of the Public Affairs Office and AFP Spokesperson. And of course, he served as aide-de-camp of my father when he was still President.
I would also like to congratulate our Army Colonel Roger Mercado, our dear colleague in Congress, former Acting DPWH Secretary, 8-term Representative and Governor of Southern Leyte for his promotion.
Warmest congratulations to the 19 officers who are being confirmed this afternoon to the rank of Brigadier General and Commodore, and 22 officers to the rank of Colonel and Captain. Thank you for your dedicated service to the country and the Filipino people. My snappy salute to all.
Thank you, Mr. President.