Madrigal assumes command of AFP

December 11, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte  handed over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) command saber to  Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal during turnover rites held Tuesday afternoon at Camp Aguinaldo.

In his speech, Madrigal, the 51th AFP chief, thanked Duterte for giving him the chance to lead the  military when challenges are enormous in winning the peace and securing the sovereignty of the state.

“To put an end to the insurgency.. we still need a lot more of sustained and determined efforts… With the National Task Force has been created with the President leading, it will give flesh to end the multi-dimensional conflict,” Madrigal said.

He said the fight against insurgency cannot be won through bullets alone.

"The fight can be won not the combat  but through a unified campaign of all stakeholders by propagating culture of peace among the people," Madrigal said.

Madrigal belongs Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Sandiwa” Class of 1985, and a classmate of Galvez, who stepped down as AFP chief of staff.

Galvez will be the Presidential Adviser to the Peace Process, the post left vacant by Jesus Dureza. DMS