President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed Tuesday the new chief of the Philippine Army to build a strong force highly capable of defending the country’s sovereignty and can quickly respond to disasters and calamities.

Speaking during the 68th change of command rites of the Philippine Army in Taguig City, Marcos told Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, the Army’s new commanding general, that his years of experience, education, and training prepared him for the job.

Gumiran replaced Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, who was appointed as the new Armed Forces chief of staff.

Gumiran rose from being a platoon leader to becoming the commander of the Western Mindanao Command. He also studied at the US Army War College.

“Continue the mission. Preserve the Army’s strong sense of duty. Keep faith with our soldiers,” Marcos told the new Army chief.

“You take command as the Army continues transition towards external defense. Build a force capable of securing the land domain, supporting joint operations, and contributing fully to defending our sovereignty and asserting our territorial integrity.”

The President also wants Gumiran to maintain a highly deployable force that could sustain operations and respond decisively wherever the mission requires.

“Especially now, as many of our communities confront heavy monsoon rains and other calamities. Keep the Army ready to support search, rescue, and relief operations,” President Marcos said.

He also asked Gumiran to lead the Army with discipline and integrity, to uphold the Constitution, and to protect the trust of the Filipino people.

The President also called on Gumiran to ensure that every Army unit and personnel remain disciplined and fully aligned with the defense priorities of the Republic.

And most importantly, Army soldiers must be taken care of, said the President, noting that while equipment can be modernized and tactics be refined, it is the “people who carry the mission, hold the line, and give meaning to every gain we make as a force.” Presidential News Desk