Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 16) — The reappointment of General Andres “Andy” Centino as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) involves the rationalization of seniority in the country’s military, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Sunday.
In an interview with the media, Marcos noted that Centino is the only four-star general in the AFP, hence he is more senior than his predecessor Lieutenant General Bartolome Vicente “Bob” Bacarro.
“Kasi nira-rationalize namin ‘yung seniority. Kasi ‘yung—Andy Centino has four stars and Bob Bacarro has three stars. So kailangan natin ayusin kasi magkakagulo doon sa baba,” Marcos explained.
[Translation: We are rationalizing seniority. Andy Centino has four stars, while Bob Bacarro has three stars. So we need to fix it because there will be trouble among the lower ranks.]
“There were some comments that were made: ‘Paano ‘yan pag nag-extend-extend kami naman dito sa lower ranks, wala na kaming pag-asa?’ [If we get extended in the lower ranks, do we still have a chance?],” the president added, referring to lower-ranking military officials.
Marcos further explained such sentiments would only result in low morale among military officials, which prompted him to “fix the seniority.”
On Jan. 6, Marcos announced that he reinstated Centino as AFP chief of staf, five months after removing him from the position and appointing him ambassador to India.
Centino succeeded Medal of Valor awardee Bacarro, who had taken over the AFP in August 2022.
READ: Returning chief Centino: Strong, capable leaders needed for AFP unity, modernization
Rumors about an alleged destabilization plot in the military surfaced after the abrupt shift in the AFP’s leadership. The AFP and the Philippine National Police have refuted these claims.
Newly appointed Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. likewise dismissed the alleged “unrest” in the military and said that the AFP is addressing some “valid issues,” such as the delay in promotions of officials.
When asked about Galvez’s appointment in the Department National Defense, Marcos praised the former presidential peace adviser, saying that he knew exactly what to do the moment he took his oath of office.
