ARMED Forces chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centino ordered the cancellation of the celebration of military’s 86th foundation anniversary yesterday due typhoon “Odette” which devastated several regions.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is celebrating its 86th anniversary with every Filipino in our hearts and minds,” Centino said in a statement issued about six hours before the anniversary celebration.
President Duterte, the AFP’s commander-in-chief, was scheduled to virtually attend the ceremony which was supposed to be held at the Lapu-Lapu grandstand in Camp Aguinaldo at 4 p.m.
“In these challenging times, brought about by the devastation of typhoon Odette and the persisting pandemic, we will forego the AFP anniversary program, parade, and fly-by in solidarity and sympathy with our kababayans (countrymen) and in order to not disrupt our on-going humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations,” said Centino.
“We shall celebrate while doing our jobs in the field. This is how we will honor our long history of service and tradition of sacrifice to the Filipino people,” Centino also said.
The military is playing a major role in Odette response operations, especially in the delivery of relief goods to thousands of people affected in many parts in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Centino said the military will not be remiss in recognizing every soldier, airman “who have excelled and who have put their lives on the line in the fulfillment of our mandate to protect the people and secure the state.”
After the flag ceremony yesterday morning, Centino recognized dozens of military personnel, units and civilian organizations for their contributions.
It was in the same event where Centino initially announced the cancellation of the anniversary’s program proper, including the parade of troops and equipment and fly-by of aircraft.
“We will just celebrate by doing our jobs. Let me express my deepest appreciation to the men and women of the AFP for all your hard work and sacrifices. As such, we must not be complacent with our highly commendable accomplishments so far. Let us sustain this momentum and uphold the highest standards of service and professionalism,” said Centino during the event.
AFP spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said Centino decided to forego with the celebration proper “because we are in the midst of HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) operation.”
