Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. called on all newly promoted military officials to lead with humility and integrity.

He made this call to the 37 newly promoted generals and flag officers of the AFP along with a newly-graduated officer from a Foreign Pre-Commission Training Institution who earlier took their oath before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in a ceremony at Malacañang Palace last Jan. 7.

Shortly after this, the newly promoted officers then paid a courtesy call on Brawner at Camp Aguinaldo.

“The ranks you now wear are not simply rewards for past achievements, they are responsibilities entrusted to you after years of preparation and sacrifice. You must lead with humility, serve with gratitude, and always remember that success in the profession of arms is never achieved alone,” the AFP chief said in a statement Wednesday.

Of the 37 newly-promoted officials, the highest-ranking was Lt. Gen. Donald Gumiran, the commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

Brawner also congratulated 2nd Lt. Rafael Cecilio Muñoz, who took his oath before the President after completing his training at the United States Military Academy, and wished him well in his career in the Philippine Army.

“You do not have to become a general to be successful in the service. What matters most is giving your best in every assignment and serving with integrity wherever duty takes you,” he said.

Marcos earlier urged the officers to serve as responsible stewards of the nation’s resources and to uphold the highest standards of leadership and integrity in military service.

He also recognized the AFP’s accomplishments over the past year in protecting Philippine waters, responding to calamities, sustaining peace and security, and strengthening international defense partnerships through joint exercises and interoperability initiatives. (PNA)