By Genalyn Kabiling
With assumption of new Armed Forces chief of staff Carlito Galvez Jr., President Duterte is counting on the military to sustain the fight against all threats to the country’s sovereignty.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte hands over the command saber from outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Rey Guerrero to newly-installed AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Carlito Galvez Jr. during the AFP Change of Command Ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City on April 18, 2018. (SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President said he expects the military under Galvez' leadership to stick to the mission of ensuring the safety of the people and security of the country.
Galvez has formally assumed the top military post, replacing Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero who retired from service during a ceremony held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
"With an excellent and motivated workforce behind General Galvez, I am optimistic that the AFP will sustain its gains and remain at the forefront of our fight against all threats our sovereignty," the President said.
"Therefore, I ask our troops to support the leadership, including all in government, of General Galvez’s term and remain steadfast, of course, General Galvez… in your mission ensuring the safety of our people and the security of our land," he added.
Duterte said he was also confident that the military would continue to move forward "in the right direction" under the leadership of Galvez.
"Armed with our people’s unwavering trust and confidence and fueled by the highest degree of professionalism and competence, it is only through our combined efforts as a people and as a nation that we can achieve lasting peace and sustainable development," he said.
Prior to his appointment, Galvez served as head of the Western Mindanao Command, the military unit spearheading the campaign against the Abu Sayyaf Group. He is a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1985.
Also present in the military turnover rites were Vice President Leni Robredo, former Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Fidel V. Ramos, and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.