FORMER Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David on Friday took over the top military post during the change of command at Camp Aguinaldo.
David took over the military leadership from Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, who was designated acting AFP chief when General Delfin Bangit opted for early retirement last week.
Both David and Ochoa belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Masikap” Class of 1977. Bangit belongs to the “Makatarungan” Class of 1978.
In his speech, David reminded his soldiers to keep the military as a “disciplined institution.”
“We shall continue to be a responsible instrument of public policy, subservient to civilian authority,” he said.
David said as an instrument of national policy, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would be focusing on attaining national security objectives.
He noted that national airports have the “most imminent threat” of being targeted by terrorist elements, and thus promised to focus security in them.
But apart from ensuring national security from insurgent activities, David also stressed that the AFP should be an agent of peace. (PIA-Bohol)
