FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – In a Change of Command Ceremony held here today, December 6, Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay officially assumes as the new Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA).
National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana presided the turnover of leadership from the outgoing Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto to the incoming CGPA.
Gapay, who graduated at the top of the Philippine Military Academy “Sinagtala” Class of 1986, has been serving the Army for 33 years. Prior to his appointment, he was assigned as the Commander of the Southern Luzon Command and was also designated as the Commander of the Mechanized Infantry Division, now the Armor “Pambato” Division, where he supported its various capability upgrades in terms of armor, aviation, air defense, and cyber security.
“I have always adhered to two basic military guide posts of military commanders, the accomplishment of the mission and looking after the morale and welfare of my troops,” said Gapay as he also mentioned to “work towards the equipage” of the Army Modernization program and enhancing the Army’s land power capabilities.
Gapay also aims to put premium in the improvement of training systems, leaders development program, Non-Commissioned Officers empowerment, Reserve Force development, and Civilian Human Resource Component strenthening. “I will sustain your gains and ensure that what you have set out to do shall come into fruitition,” addressed Gapay to Alberto.
On the other hand, Alberto, who is also a member of the PMA “Sinagtala” Class of 1986 has reached today the military mandatory retirement age of 56. Under his leadership as the CGPA since October last year, the PA was able enhance its war fighting capabilities especially through the activation of 11th Infantry “Alakdan” Division, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Office of the International Military Affairs, Sniper Companies for each Division, Installation Management Command, Aviation Regiment, 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery, 1st Land-Based Missile System Battery, 1st Intelligence Security Unit and 6th Mechanized Infantry Battalion among other new units. He also led the improvement of quality military uniforms and equipment.
“The Philippine Army shall remain a highly capable force provider to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Let our core values of honor, patriotism and duty be the guiding light of each and every action and operation that we carry out under the name of the Philippine Army,” said Gapay in his assumption speech.#