Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. assured Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. of his support after the latter was reinstated as the head of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU).
*Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (File photo)
* Galvez was reappointed by Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the OPAPRU chief, Malacanang announced over the weekend, after he was replaced by Teodoro at the top DND post earlier this month. “Napakalaki ng trabaho na ginawa ni Secretary Galvez sa OPAPRU. Kabisado niya ang proseso, at ang peace process ay napakahalagang bagay ng ating national security kaya ako wine-welcome ko ang reinstatement ni Secretary Galvez (Secretary Galvez has done so much work at OPAPRU. He knows by peace process by heart, and the peace process is a very important part of our national security that’s why I welcome the reinstatement of Secretary Galvez),” Teodoro said on Monday, June 26. “Magiging kaalinsabay niya tayo sa pagtatag ng internal security sa ating bansa (We will be his partner in strengthening the internal security of our country),” he added. Galvez, a retired military general and former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, was first appointed as the OPAPRU chief on Dec. 12, 2018 under the previous Duterte administration. He retained his position under the present Marcos regime until he was named as the DND OIC on Jan. 9, 2023 when Jose Faustino Jr., a fellow retired general, quit his post. On June 5, Marcos named Teodoro as the DND Secretary, replacing Galvez. Now that he’s back at OPAPRU, Galvez is expected to supervise the continuation of peace talks and negotiations to address internal conflict and rebellion in the country.