President Duterte Appoints Galvez as New Peace Adviser

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, December 11, announced that outgoing Armed Forces of the Philipines (AFP) Chief General Carlito Galvez Jr. will be joining the cabinet next week.

The Commander-in-Chief did the announcement during the 83rd Founding Anniversary of the AFP.

President Duterte appointed Galvez as the new Peace Adviser for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) replacing Jesus Dureza.

The President praised Galvez for his successful stint at the AFP, noting that he created the AFP Development Center to address the gaps in the existing AFP Leadership Programs and helped develop the character, competence, and capacity of military personnel.

Among Galvez’s noted accomplishments include the successful implementation of martial law in Mindanao, the neutralization of more than two thousand terrorists, the recovery of thousands of firearms, and the clearing of seven guerrilla fronts. He also successfully fought corruption in the Armed forces.

“As he retires from his valiant service to our nation, his accomplishments speak well of how he fulfilled his mission to foster a stronger and more dependable armed forces as well as a safer and more secure Philippines,” the President spoke of Galvez.

Replacing Galvez as the AFP Chief is Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. The President expressed confidence that under General Madrigal’s leadership, the AFP will achieve more milestones in the campaign to combat terrorism, end insurgency, and address lingering and emerging threats to national security.

He then mentioned that the government would shift its method from the “military-centric approach” to a “new civilian-led approach,” through the recent Executive Order No. 70, which creates the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

This transformation will tap other government agencies and other private sectors in bringing essential services and other development interventions that will address the root cause of the communist movement uprising.

The President, therefore, directed Gen. Madrigal to lead the responsibility of “preserving peace and ensuring order as we shift to this new approach.”

As his first order to Gen. Madrigal, President Duterte instructed, “sustain the progress of those who came before you and create a legacy that will cause ripples [of] positive change in the years to come.”

President Duterte then rallied for the members of AFP to support its new leadership.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Sandiwa” class of 1985.

Prior to his appointment as AFP Chief, Gen. Madrigal headed the Eastern Mindanao Command. He also became the commander of the Southern Luzon Command and the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. (PND)