FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – In a change of command ceremony, the Philippine Army installs the new Commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID) today, May 29, at Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
Maj. Gen. Andres C. Centino formally took over from Maj. Gen. Franco Nemesio M. Gacal in a ceremony presided by the Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay.
Prior to his assumption, Centino served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He also led the 401st Infantry "Unite N Fight" Brigade from 2017 to 2019 and served as Commanding Officer of the 26th Infantry Battalion from 2008 to 2010. He also held various staff positions such as Secretary Army General Staff in 2013 and Chief of Staff, 4ID in 2016. He completed his Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Washington USA; Master in Management from the University of the Philippines; and Strategic Business Economics Program from the University of the Asia and the Pacific. Centino is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy “Maringal” Class of 1988.
On the other hand, Gacal led the Diamond Division to significant operational gains, neutralizing 1,822 enemy entities, seizure of 757 firearms, clearing of 177 Communist Terrorist Group-affected barangays, and dismantling of a guerilla front. The Division also achieved the re-certification of its Institutionalized Status, which is the final stage of the Army Governance Pathway that helps institutionalize the Performance Governance System to ensure that the Army Transformation Roadmap strategy and program is accomplished. 4ID was also conferred with the Gold Trailblazer Award for executing strategies of good governance.
Gacal accomplished his Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in 2013. He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Xavier University and completed the Leadership and Management Development Program in Ateneo De Manila University. He served as Commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade and as Commanding Officer of 11th Infantry Battalion. Also a graduate of PMA “Maringal” class of 1988, Gacal is set to assume as The Inspector General, AFP.
"No leader, however strong, can succeed at anyting of national significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is tasked to lead and sworn to serve," said Gapay in his speech, quoting President Duterte. "I am confident that the Army forces in CARAGA, and Northern and Eastern Mindanao are in good hands because of commanders like them who pledge excellence, and walk the talk," he added.