PHILIPPINES-MILITARY/PRESIDENT President names top intelligence officer as new Philippine army chief

Record ID: 146739

  • Title: PHILIPPINES-MILITARY/PRESIDENT President names top intelligence officer as new Philippine army chief
  • Date: 19th July 2015
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JULY 15, 2015) (REUTERS) PHILIPPINE ARMY HEADQUARTERS GATE
  • Embargoed: 3rd August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7QPSC31MCSKE3RJ5ZBSZPA6ZL
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Philippine President Benigno Aquino named a top military intelligence officer as the new commanding general of the Philippine army on Wednesday (July 15).
    Eduardo Ano was the head of the military's intelligence service and replaced Hernando Iriberri, who was appointed as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff.
    Aquino led the change of command ceremony at the army headquarters in Manila and commended Ano's experience as a military officer.
    "Major General Eduardo Ano has been in service for more than 30 years and we are confident with his experience that he will continue, if not exceed, the positive changes in the Philippine Army. We believe he can give his subordinates his own brand of professionalism," he said.
    Aquino said Ano's appointment was a continuation of his administration's anti-corruption drive.
    "I only have about one year left before I step down from office, but (we still have) our thrust to continue the positive transformation, to bequeath the future generation a nation that is more peaceful and progressive than what it was before," he said.
    Ano, who also served as an army commander and led the fight against communist insurgents in the southern Philippines, said he will focus on territorial defence.
    "We will continue the parallel development of our territorial defence, and internal security operation capabilities that will enhance and ensure our ability to attain the goals our nation has set for us. Internal security and territorial defence are both important for the army," he said.
    Critics have accused Ano of various human rights violations, most notably the disappearance of a prominent leftwing activist in 2007.
    Ano has repeatedly denied the allegation.
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