Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — Major General Allen Paredes has taken over the helm of the Philippine Air Force, an institution he has served for more than three decades.
Retired Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez turned over the command to Paredes in a ceremony led by President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday.
As the 37th Commanding General of the Air Force, Paredes urged the country’s airmen to “soar as one” and exemplify three virtues – diwa, galing at malasakit (consciousness, excellence and compassion) – to “further our resolve to have a corruption-free and drug-free Air Force.”
“We shall strive to be first on the scene to seize the golden hour in all mission areas, including anti-drugs and disaster-relief operations,” Paredes said.
He then announced his first order to send additional personnel and equipment to help thousands of people affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption.
Taal, which is still closely being monitored by state volcanologists for a possible hazardous eruption, has forced the evacuation of more than 50,000 people in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.
Meanwhile, Briguez, who led the Air Force for more than a year, asked his successor to “continue to care for our airmen.”
“Ang pamumuno parang golf lang, Allen, kailangan yumuko ka muna bago ka tumingala (Leadership is just like golf, Allen, you have to bow first before you look up),” he said.
Briguez said the Air Force has helped the government’s anti-drug and anti-insurgency efforts, having “neutralized” at least 88 armed communist rebels and 188 drug personalities.
Duterte commended Briguez for a “job well done,” and appointed him as the new head of the Philippine National Oil Company – Exploration Corporation. He will take over the post after Duterte asked then oil exploration chief Pedro Aquino to resign over corruption allegations.
Paredes also praised Briguez for “ably leading the Air Force and handing me a better organization.”
36 years in service
The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier congratulated Paredes, describing him as one of the Air Force’s “most experienced command pilots.”
Paredes, a member of Philippine Military Academy’s “Maringal” Class of 1988, has served the Air Force for 36 years.
Prior to his promotion as pilot-in-command, Paredes was wing commander of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing and head of the Air Logistics Command.
