LT. GEN.. Ernesto Torres Jr. assumed his post as the 32nd commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) based in Camp General Servillano Aquino in Tarlac on Monday.
He replaced acting Nolcom chief, Maj. Gen. Andrew Costelo, who is now the commander of the 7th Infantry “Kaugnay” Division, Philippine Army.
Torres is the former commander of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry “Agila” Division based in Davao de Oro and former chief of the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CRSAFP).
Torres said it is a daunting task to lead Nolcom as one of the key units of the AFP that address both the internal security and territorial defense challenges of the country.
He called on local chief executives, non-government organizations (NGOs), media, civil society groups, other organizations, and stakeholders to have continuous collaboration and cooperation to end local communist armed conflict.
“I humbly ask for your untiring and unwavering support, cooperation, dedication, and commitment. Through these efforts, we can collectively put pressure on what remains of the communist terrorist groups (CTGs), and other armed groups, to shun the use of arms and violence, and replace such a culture of violence with a culture of security, peace, and development,” Torres said during the virtual change of command ceremony.
Aside from addressing the country’s internal security, Torres likewise stressed the importance of securing the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory.
As defenders of the nation, he asked all the joint task force commanders and task group commanders components under Nolcom to always be abreast of the regional situation and development.
“As we remain steadfast in our internal security operations and ever vigilant in securing the territorial integrity of our national territory, we should be also prepared to confront an unseen adversary such as climate change and the current pandemic we are facing,” he said.
Torres encouraged all his men to be good and professional at all times. “As your commander, I call on every soldier, airman, and sailor to always maintain a balance by developing a character that is, “loved by the people but feared by the enemy,” he told them.
He also thanked the chief of staff of the AFP for the opportunity to serve under his tutelage.
“In return, I commit to doing my level best to live up to the expectations that this position entails, all in God’s graces. This is what is expected of me, and rest assured that I shall give nothing less,” he added.
Torres is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989.
Fresh from the Philippine Military Academy, he served as a platoon leader and a personnel officer in the 44th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division in 1989.
His tactical proficiency and brilliance were recognized by his alma mater when he served as an instructor and a tactical officer in Philippine Military Academy in 1995.
In 2002, he became the deputy to the assistant chief of staff for Intelligence G2 in the 2nd Infantry Division.
In 2013, he became the assistant chief of staff for Operations G3 in the 7th Infantry Division.
Torres also assumed various civil-military operations positions.
He became the operations officer in East Timor in 2001 as a part of the Philippine United Nations Contingent, and chief of Intelligence of the Republic of the Philippines – US Military Exercise in 2003. ( Jason De Asis)
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