Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City
December 11, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced the appointment of outgoing Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (CSAFP) General Carlito Galvez, Jr. as incoming Secretary of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) during the Change of Command Ceremony coinciding with the 83rd AFP Anniversary at the Lapu-Lapu Grandstand in Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The President recognized the invaluable service of the outgoing Chief-of-Staff, especially in eradicating corruption within the military ranks through fiscal reforms in the AFP. General Galvez was equally lauded for his successful supervision and implementation of martial law in Mindanao that curbed insurgencies, neutralizing more than 2,000 terrorists, recovering thousands of firearms, and clearing seven (7) guerilla fronts.

“General Galvez, as you hang up your uniform, you can stand proud knowing that the Armed Forces that you will pass on is one that is formidable and empowered. Be assured that as you leave military service, you have inspired others with your work and have set an edifying example [to] the entire institution,” the Commander-in-Chief said.

Succeeding General Galvez as AFP Chief-of-Staff is Lieutenant General Benjamin Madrigal, a former chief of the Davao-based Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) since November 2017 and who led several operations against the communist New People’s Army.
“General Madrigal, you are now tasked with the responsibility of preserving peace and ensuring order as we shift to this new approach. 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,” the President said.
“I trust that under General Benjamin 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 added.
The President also announced the signing of Executive Order No. 70 creating the ‘National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict’ that would shift the once military-centric approach to a new-civilian led approach that would tap other government agencies and private sectors to bring basic services and other development interventions that would address the root cause of the communist movement.
In the same event, the Commander-in-Chief conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kamagi to four (4) soldiers who have displayed exemplary service to their units, and witnessed the awarding ceremony recognizing military personnel and individuals for their contribution and service to the AFP.

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