Maj. Gen. Connor Anthony D. Canlas is now the head of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) following the mandatory retirement of Lt. Gen. Allen T. Paredes Tuesday.
Retirement and change-of-command ceremonies took place at PAF headquarters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
Canlas is the PAF vice commander and former Air Defense Command chief, and a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1989.
In his speech, the new PAF chief lauded the service’s leadership for the improvements and remarkable changes in the organization in the past years.
He also lauded Paredes for showing them the “true meaning of ‘Malasakit’ (compassion) amidst various calamities and the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“Sir, we are truly grateful in serving with you in capacitating the PAF. As your successor, I will give my utmost love and devotion to the organization and its personnel,” he said.
Canlas believes continuity of the “previous command thrusts and frameworks” is key to having a more agile and dependable PAF.
“As such, I am not really too keen on leaving legacies but my ultimate goal is to achieve the milestones set by our Flight Plan (2028) that was established by our predecessors,” he added.
Paredes, a member of PMA Class of 1988, was appointed PAF chief on Jan. 16, 2020, replacing then Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briquez, who retired after reaching 56.
Before he was appointed PAF chief, Paredes was former wing commander of the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing from February 2016 to July 2018.
Paredes was also among the members of a committee that probed the plane crash that killed former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo in August 2012.
In a video message, President Rodrigo Duterte thanked Paredes for his invaluable service to the country and people.
“We thank you for protecting our airspace and ensuring the security of the Filipino people at all times. Mabuhay po kayo, Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes. Mabuhay ang PAF,” he said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
