By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
(Eagle News) – “I will do my best to serve the President to the best I can, with honor, integrity and loyalty,” said Western Mindanao Command Chief Lt. General Carlito Galvez, whose name was announced on Thursday by Malacanang as the new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff.
Galvez, whose experience in peace-building activities in Mindanao is widely known, is also crucial for his leadership in handling the WestMinCom at the time that the Marawi crisis erupted on May 23, 2017
He was the over-all commander of the military campaign to crush militants and terrorists in Marawi, that also led to the killing of terrorists and militants, including Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the announcement of Galvez as the new AFP chief of staff, on Thursday, April 5, when the Palace made a series of other announcements that sent media in a flurry.
This was the appointment of Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra as the new secretary of the Department of Justice, and Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Director Oscar Albayalde as new police chief.
“Inappoint na rin po ng Presidente si Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez as Chief of Staff ng Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Roque told reporters covering Malacanang.
/ AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE
Galvez, who spent most of his military career in Mindanao. is a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985.
He will be sworn in as the new AFP Chief of Staff on April 18, Wednesday (not April 14 as had been earlier announced), together with new PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde.
-Lorenzana, Año say Galvez will be a good AFP chief-
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Galvez will “make a good AFP chief of staff.”
“I am happy for Gen Galvez. I know he will make a good CSAFP. I knew him since he was a Lieutenant — very professional and competent,” he said.
“Most of his assignment have been in Mindanao especially in western, central and eastern. He knows the area and the people well,” Lorenzana said.
Department of Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Año, who also servied previously as AFP chief of staff, said Galvez “deserves the position.”
“General Charlie Galvez deserves the position. He will be good Chief of Staff AFP being a well-rounded career and combat officer who has occupied key positions in different combat assignments,” Ano said.
“He is one of our Marawi heroes who led and supervised the resolution of the conflict and liberation of Marawi since day one. He is well prepared for the job,” he added.
Galvez was also an Army Scout Ranger officer and a veteran of operations against the Abu Sayyaf. He took over the Wesmincom on January 17, 2017.
Before this, Galvez had served as the commander of the 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao, and was then tasked to protect the government’s ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
He also had served as co-chairman of the Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) that monitored the government and MILF ceasefire, and investigated alleged violations.
He also had worked with MILF leaders to keep the ceasefire even after the January 2015 Mamasapano massacre that killed 44 members of the PNP-Special Action Force.
Before this, Galvez was AFP deputy chief for operations and, before that, Wesmincom’s deputy commander for the peace process.
He had been conferred numerous awards such as Military Merit medals and Military Commendation medals, Gold Cross Medal, Distinguished Service Star, Leadership Award and Outstanding Achievement Medal.
He will be replacing Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero who is set to retire as AFP chief on April 24. The President had extended his term from December 17 when he turned 56. ( Eagle News Service)
