PERSONAL na nagpaabot ng kanyang pasasalamat si DND OIC at Senior Undersecretary General Jose Faustino Jr. sa pamahalaan kasunod ng ilang buwan nitong serbisyo sa Department of National Defense (DND).
Pormal nang naghain ng kanyang irrevocable resignation si Faustino sa tanggapan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Sa pahayag ni Faustino, iginiit nito ang kaniyang pagpapasalamat sa institusyon na kanyang pinanggalingan at kung papaano ito kinilala ng publiko bilang isang ahensiya na nangangalaga para sa proteksiyon ng mamamayang Pilipino mula sa panloob at panlabas na seguridad.
“The AFP is an institution that is loved, trusted, and respected by the Filipino people. It is an upright organization that is professional, highly capable and committed to protecting our country and people from all threats, whether foreign or domestic. Our dedicated and indomitable soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines, value above all honor, service, and patriotism – these are the ideals that we live and die for, if need be,” saad ni Ret. Gen. Jose C. Faustino Jr.
Aminado si Faustino, na agad siyang nagbitiw sa pwesto matapos mapag-alamang ibinalik sa pwesto ang dating chief of staff ng AFP na si Gen. Andres Centino.
“With the utmost respect, I submitted my irrevocable letter of resignation to the President, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., on Friday, January 6, 2023, after learning only from news and social media reports that an oath of office of the new chief of staff, AFP had taken place at Malacañang,” dagdag ni Faustino.
Sa ilalim aniya ng pamunuan ng AFP, nakita nito ang malaking pagbabago ng ahensiya at ipinagmamalaki niya ito.
Higit sa lahat, iginiit ng dating opisyal ang kanyang paninindigan na hindi mababahiran ng anumang anomalya at politika ang kanyang pamumuno noong sa AFP hanggang sa kanyang pag-alis sa pwesto.
Iniwan niya itong disiplinado at higit na maipagmamalaking organisasyon sa bansa.
“Through the years, the AFP has metamorphosed into an institution that the Filipino people can truly be proud of. Admittedly, it has had its own share of life’s ups and downs, but nonetheless, it genuinely strives hard to earn and deserve the trust, respect and confidence of our people and allies. It has undeniably proven its mettle over the decades. It is a highly disciplined and competent organization that will survive under any given circumstance,” pahayag pa ni Faustino.
“Thus, fully cognizant of the selfless sacrifice and courage of our troops and civilian human resources, I cannot allow the AFP’s reputation to be tarnished, maligned, or politicized. I assure everyone that I will always hold the AFP in high esteem, which its men and women have painstakingly earned,” aniya pa.
Samantala, matapos italaga bilang bagong Defense Secretary si dating Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr., bukas-palad namang tinanggap ng buong hanay ng DND ang opisyal kasabay ng paniniwalang magiging epektibo na lider si Galvez ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.
Aminado ang mga tauhan ng DND na hindi basta-basta ang karanasan ni Galvez pagdating sa pamumuno bilang isang public servant at militar.
“Maraming excited, may mga anxious kasi hindi nila kabisado ang magiging management style niya, but very all, his appointment was well-accepted kasi, we, most of them know, most of us know that the DND will be in good hands because of his experience and expertise,” wika ni Arsenio Andolong, spokesperson, DND.
Matatandaang naging sentro sa publiko ang pangalan ni Galvez nang manilbihan ito bilang vaccine czar sa ilalim ng Duterte administration noong kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic sa bansa.
