Former Army commander Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu Monday formally assumed as Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff, with Lt. Gen. Ricardo David, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, saying he will rely on the former’s wise counsel and opinion.

Mapagu replaced Maj. Gen. Hilario Atendido, during a change of office ceremony with David and other military officials in attendance.

When Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa opted for an early retirement, Atendido took the post as acting AFP vice chief of staff, concurrent with his assignment as the AFP deputy chief of staff for education and training or J8.

“However brief my term is, the experience was worthwhile, which I am sure will further help me as I once again focus on my duties as the J8, ” said Atendido.

In his speech, Mapagu expressed his desire to work with the AFP chief of staff in fulfilling the various missions of the organization.

“I shall be working with the Chief of Staff, AFP, to extend advice or assistance on every matter, on ISO priorities, personnel development, welfare programs, institutional policies, and other equally important concerns. As the chief of staff, AFP desires to reach out to our ranks, I will also be by the side of every Filipino soldier to assure the troops that their issues will be addressed in due time,” said Mapagu.

David exhorted Mapagu on the duties and responsibilities of his office, among which is overseeing AFP housing programs, being chairman of the AFP legislative affairs board, supervising the AFP modernization project, and heading the AFP disaster response task force.

David expressed faith and confidence in the new AFP vice chief, saying: “Needless to emphasize, Rey, I will rely on your wise counsel and opinion. As you know, the Commander-in-Chief has directed the AFP to keep in mind two priorities: one, the accomplishment of our ISO mission; and two, our strict adherence to the laws of the land, particularly in protecting the human rights of our countrymen.”

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Carlos Holganza will relinquish his post as commander of the Army’s largest division in the south, the 10th Infantry Division (10 ID) to Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia in a change of command ceremony scheduled at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Holganza assumed command of the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM) earlier, replacing Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa.

Holganza’s appointment as head of the development arm of the AFP is seen as a major boost in the AFP’s peace efforts nationwide with his “out of the box” and soft approach to insurgency by focusing service to the people rather than concentrating on the armed group.

Segovia will be leaving his post as commander of 2nd Infantry Division (2nd ID) covering Southern Tagalog Region to assume leadership as the fifth commander of the youngest army division in the country and is expected to carry-on the peace and development projects being undertaken by soldiers in the region as the main focus in the fight against threats to national development.