The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honored the notable reforms pushed by Gen. Andres Centino during his tenure as chief of staff.
According to AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor, Centino propelled significant thrusts in the AFP such as operational efficiency, optimal use of resources, advancement of professionalism and meritocracy within the organization, as well as capability development.
Under Centino’s leadership, Baclor said the AFP neutralized 1,391 communist and local terrorist personalities.
“The AFP was also instrumental in deradicalizing over 3,000 communist terrorists, dismantling 20 guerrilla fronts, recovering 1,600 firearms, and clearing 565 barangays,” Baclor said.
Centino’s push for the application of AFP’s Joint Operating Concept has strengthened the interoperability of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.
He also managed the completion of capability development projects amounting to P37.6 billion as part of the AFP’s modernization program.
Centino, who is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1988, previously served as Philippine Army commander, 4th Infantry Division head, 401st Infantry Brigade head, AFP deputy chief-of-staff for operations, or J-3, 26th Infantry Battalion commanding officer of the 26th Infantry Battalion; and Army General Staff secretary among others.
Centino was the 57th AFP chief of staff from 12 November 2021 until 8 August this year.
He was formally replaced by his classmate, Southern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro in a ceremonial Change of Command at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
During the ceremony, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. awarded Centino with a Philippine Legion of Honor (Degree of Commander), for his successful tour as military chief.