Maj. Gen. Arturo Ortiz, one of the few living Medal of Valor recipients in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was formally installed by President Noynoy Aquino on Friday as the 53rd commanding general of the 82,000-strong Philippine Army.

Ortiz, who succeeded Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, made a clear and strong message to the Army when he sought their full cooperation and support, as he vowed to make sure the military justice system will continue to work for the benefit of everybody  and warned that any soldier who will violate the articles of war and other pertinent laws will be punished.

The general, at the same time, declared that while he would respect his upperclassmen – referring to his seniors in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) – he is now taking complete and full responsibility for the Philippine Army.

“To my former seniors and upperclassmen who will now take command and direction from me, I will continue to take your wise counsel as I have done in the past. But we must all be fully aware that henceforth, I alone am responsible for what the Philippine Army does and fails to do,” declared Ortiz.

The new Army chief, at the same time, made it clear he expects “quality leadership" from his ground commanders and those who can not show this should "make way" for those who can.

“Commanders will be carefully selected based on character, competence, track record, and capacity to deliver more. They must set the example and must spend most of their time and attention with their men in the field, sharing their risks and difficulties and closely supervising their actions,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz said that as he accepts his new position, “I trust in the wisdom of higher authorities and in their belief that appointments are made based on merit and credentials built over time. In my whole military career, I can truthfully say that I have never worked for an assignment, because I personally abhor it.”

“I continue to stand by the quote I have stated in our class yearbook at PMA that I would rather stay low brought about by my own efforts than to stay high without actually striving for it.” Ortiz took the opportunity to thank the President for putting his trust in him, as well as Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who was his former commander at the Special Forces and Special Operations Command (SOCOM), for giving his nod to his designation as endorsed by the AFP Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Ricardo David.

“I assume command at a crucial time when our nation entered a new chapter in our history. As the premier service of the AFP, the army has on its shoulders a great responsibility of being at the forefront in our nations fight against forces that threaten our people’s aspirations for peace and continue to impede the full realization of our nation’s goals,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz also cited the outgoing Army chief (Mapagu), now the AFP Vice Chief of Staff. Beneath his subdued and simple personality lies his professional competence and effective leadership, he said.

“And if there is one quality that stands out in him, it is his being a true professional, a real officer, and a real gentleman. Certainly, I will endeavor to approximate his achievements,” said Ortiz.