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Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista concluded his farewell visits to major military headquarters in the country Monday, afew days before his retirement on July 18.

The last leg of Bautista’s tour Monday included a visit to the Southern Luzon Command Headquarters in Lucena City, where he was welcomed by its commander Lt.Gen. Caesar Ronnie F. Ordoyo.

He also visited the Philippine Navy’s Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City, Philippine Air Force Headquarters in Pasay City, and Philippine Army Headquarters also in Taguig City.

“The reason I’m here is to express my gratitude and compel you to sustain the momentum achieved by our 'Bayanihan'. I thank you for the services you rendered, the heroism you exhibited, and your sacrifices for the country,” Bautista said in his speech in Villamor Air Base.

“Our tasks going forward are challenging, but we only need to stand united as one organization loyal to our mandate as defender of our people and our nation. I am confident that the AFP will carry on with its accomplishments whoever the next chief-of-staff is,” he stressed.

Bautista was given a warm welcome in his tour at the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force.

Army chief Lt.Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri presented Bautista with a plaque of his Command Duties.

Iriberri also praised the AFP chief's leadership in the implementation of IPSP Bayanihan, Army Transformation Roadmap and the AFP Transformation Roadmap.

“We acknowledge not only his dedication and discipline, but more importantly we acknowledge the legacy of excellence and patriotism that has made his tour of duty a time of growth for the AFP,” Iriberri said.

Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jesus C Millan also expressed his gratitude to the chief-of-staff, who received a replica of BRP Alcaraz (PF-16) as memento, for his support to the Navy’s Strategic Sail Plan 2020 in connection with the AFP Transformation Roadmap.

Bautista was also welcomed by Air Force vice commander Major Gen. Wilfredo O. Ona, where the chief-of-staff thanked the officers and personnel of the Air Force for their role in defending Philippine territory, in assisting survivors of super typhoon Yolanda, and in supporting the operations in Zamboanga City.

Aside from his tour of Southern Luzon Command and Major Services Monday, Bautista also visited the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City on July 12; Northern Luzon Command in Tarlac on July 11; and Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City and Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City on July 10.

He started his tour in Western Command in Palawan and Central Command in Cebu on July 9, where he also expressed his gratitude on the two units' commitment and dedication in fulfilling vital roles

The Central Command was at the center of humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations of the AFP in the aftermath of the Visayas earthquake and Supertyphoon "Yolanda".

Meanwhile, Western Command is currently at the forefront in defending Philippine territories in the South China Sea.

“Our nation and the whole world witnessed the service and heroism we exhibited in Visayas. They saw us in Bohol, Leyte, and Panay ravaged by 'Yolanda'. It is there that we wholeheartedly and skilfully showed the dedication of our soldiery. With that, I thank all of you," Bautista said. (PNA)

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