ZAMBOANGA CITY — A civic group and government officials, including the military, have lauded the appointment of Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, as the new Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
They are one in saying that Galvez deserves the position being a seasoned officer, who have served the military for the past 36 years.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday announced that Galvez will be the next AFP chief-of-staff, replacing Gen. Rey Leonardo Gurrero, who is retiring from the military service.
Guerrero was supposed to retire on December 17, 2017 but his term was extended until April 24, this year, by the President.
Galvez, the ninth Westmincom chief, will take his oath as AFP chief-of-staff on April 14.
Fr. Angel Calvo, Zamboanga-Basilan Integrated Development Alliance, Inc. (Zabida) president, said Galvez is qualified to lead the AFP saying they knew him “since Basilan days.”
Galvez has served as the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander based in Basilan province.
Prior to that, he has served as battalion commander of the Army Scout Ranger also based in Basilan.
Calvo said that Galvez was a Peaceweaver Awardee last year based on his work as chief of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) of the government panel talking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said Galvez is known as one true leader and a peaceweaver, who is instrumental in the reformation of some of the hotbeds of rebellion in the ARMM.
“He has a big heart, genuine intention to end hostilities, he walks the talk. I witnessed this when he reached out notorious Moro rebel groups in Basilan, he literally shared bread with the group of Ustadz Dan Asnawi,” Hataman said.
Galvez was the Army’s 104th Infantry Brigade commander then while Asnawi was the 114th BIAF Base commander.
He said that path branched out to better lines of communication, sealing off hostilities between the military and the Moro rebels in Basilan.
“That friendship blossomed and paved the way to real concrete development in Basilan including the final completion of the 131 kms stretch of circumferential road,” he said.
“In understanding the cause of terrorism, Galvez brought in strong collaboration among local government units, in order to entice bandits to abandon terrorism,” Hataman said. “One bomber out of equation, is one step to better and safe environment.”
Hataman said Galvez was also instrumental in the surrender of Top 3 notorious Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Nurhassan Jamiri and the elimination of the Daesh influenced group, the Maute, including its allies led by Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi City.
He said Galvez’s leadership is with a heart and helps ARMM to reach its potential and transform into a place ripe enough for further economic endeavors
“We are proud and happy that our leaders have recognized our efforts and accomplishments. This is a good and positive message to our organization,” Rear Adm. Rene Medina, Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Navforwem) commander, said of Galvez’s appointment as the new AFP chief-of-staff.
Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said Galvez deserves the promotion.
“He deserves the position,” Sobejana said. (PNA)
