New AFP chief commits to end insurgency

FILE: CHANGE OF COMMAND. Newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief-of-Staff, Lieutenant General Noel Clement (right), shakes hands with outgoing AFP Chief-of-Staff, General Benjamin Madrigal (left), during the change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday (September 24, 2019). Clement, a multi-decorated officer, says the military will remain committed in ending the threat posed by the communist armed insurgency. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — As he formally assumed the top post in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Noel Clement said the military will remain committed to ending the threat posed by the communist armed insurgency.

“On our operational engagements, we will remain committed to ending the armed insurgency, similarly our focused operations will be sustained and surgically conducted on those who threatened the peace in our communities,” he said during the formal Change of Command at the AFP headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Clement, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, succeeded his classmate at the PMA, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., who left the service as he will be reaching the mandatory military retirement age of 56 on September 28.

The newly-appointed AFP chief said the “enemies of peace will be dealt with accordingly.

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Clement also urged all remaining communist rebels and their allies to return to the path of peace like what their former colleagues in the insurgency movement have done.

“I, therefore, call on the leftover of a lost cause, peace is not elusive.

we have worked with your comrades. We have worked with our people; we engage communities who now partake of the fruits of our peaceful endeavors. Therefore, I enjoin the remaining peace spoilers to work with us,” he added.

Clement said under his watch, the AFP will remain professional, non-partisan, a staunch defender and advocate of human rights, and respectful of International Humanitarian Law but at the same time assuring the Rule of Law.

“My leadership aims to highlight values, advocates for the collective good of most people, and our uniformed personnel,” he said.

Clement, who was born Jan. 5, 1964 in Lipa, Batangas, studied at DOLE Philippines School, Stella Maris Academy of Davao and had his first year in Bachelor of Science in Commerce at Ateneo De Davao University, before entering the PMA in 1981.

Prior to his appointment as AFP chief, Clement was designated as the head of the Cebu-based Central Command on Nov. 16, 2018. He also commanded the 10th Infantry Division, 602nd Infantry Brigade, and the 56th Infantry Battalion and Joint Task Force Sulu.

A multi-decorated officer, Clement earned four Distinguished Service Star medals, an Outstanding Achievement Medal, three Bronze Cross Medals, two Meritorious Achievement Medals, among others.

He is also happily married to Geraldine Anne Valerio and is blessed with two sons, Cheeno and Carl Angelo.