Duterte picks ex-AFP Chief Galvez to be his new peace adviser

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presents the Command Flag and Plaque of Honorable Service to outgoing AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez Jr., and a Plaque of Appreciation to Mrs. Marissa P. Galvez during the Change of Command Ceremony and the 83rd Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Anniversary at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on December 11, 2018. Also in the photo is Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Duterte named the new head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) on Tuesday, December 11.

During the 83rd anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and change of command ceremony at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, Duterte announced that his new peace adviser will be no other than former military chief Carlito Galvez, Jr.

“By the way, before I forgot, si General Galvez will join the Cabinet next week as the Secretary of the Peace Process Office,” the President said.

“I think he is the ninth military man to join my government,” he added.

Galvez takes the place of former top peace official Jesus Dureza, who left his post last month after Duterte fired two officials in the OPAPP — Undersecretary Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshton Donn Baccay — due to corruption allegations.

In his speech, Duterte praised Galvez’s “successful tour-of-duty” as AFP Chief of Staff, recognizing his significant contributions within the military “especially in his efforts to eradicate the ills that plague our society.”

“He fought corruption within the organization by initiating reforms that improved the financial state of our soldiers and the efficiency of the financial systems in the AFP.

The President also acknowledged Galvez’s efforts in establishing the AFP Development Center, supervising the country’s internal security operations, and implementing martial law in Mindanao that led to the neutralization of more than 2000 terrorists, recovery of thousands of firearms, and the clearing of seven guerilla fronts.

“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,” Duterte said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo last week said the President announced his intention to appoint Galvez as the new OPAPP chief during the 32nd Cabinet meeting held at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacañang.

[READ: Panelo: Retiring AFP chief to be appointed to OPAPP]

Galvez, who was replaced by Lieutenant General Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr. as the new AFP chief, earlier said he wants to serve as a peace consultant after his retirement in the military service on December 12, Wednesday.