The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) mourned the passing of retired lieutenant general Eduardo Ermita on Saturday, Oct. 18, describing him as a “distinguished soldier, statesman, and leader” who “dedicated his life to the service of the nation.”

Ermita died at the age of 90 while surrounded by his family, according to his daughter, Balayan, Batangas Mayor Lisa Ermita Abad.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines mourns the passing of General Eduardo R. Ermita (Retired), a distinguished soldier, statesman, and leader who dedicated his life to the service of the nation,” the AFP said in a statement.

The AFP said Ermita’s long and illustrious career in the military was marked by “unwavering professionalism and excellence in command.”

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1957, Ermita steadily rose through the ranks, taking on several important leadership positions within the AFP.

Ermita was a colonel when martial law was declared in 1972, and he was known at the time as a psychological warfare expert. While many military generals were appointed to influential civilian positions during the Marcos years, Ermita’s career largely remained within the military establishment.

From 1976 to 1985, he served as Senior Military Assistant in the Office of the Undersecretary of National Defense. In February 1984, Ermita demonstrated remarkable bravery when he journeyed deep into the jungles of Basilan to reach one of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) camps.

His mission was to initiate peace talks with Gerry Salappudin, then one of the MNLF’s most formidable commanders and chair of its Basilan Revolutionary Committee. During the meeting, Ermita conveyed the national government’s peace and development programs aimed at addressing the root causes of the long-running conflict in Mindanao and advancing negotiations between the Philippine government and the MNLF.

His daring visit proved pivotal, paving the way for the government to engage directly with senior MNLF leaders, including MNLF Reformist Group Chair Dimas Puntado, Deputy Chief Abu Khayr Alonto, Commander Talib Congo, and Commander Ronnie Malaguiok.

He later became the Commanding General of the Civil Relations Service of the AFP from 1985 to 1986.

After the restoration of democracy in 1986, the practice of appointing former military officers to key civilian roles continued under both administrations of Corazon Aquino and Fidel V. Ramos.

During the Aquino presidency, Ermita held the post of AFP deputy chief of staff and later Department of National Defense (DND) undersecretary, playing a significant role in addressing the series of coup attempts from 1986 to 1992.

A native of Balayan, Batangas, Ermita also represented the province’s First District in Congress from 1992 to 2001. He also served as the DND secretary from 2003 to 2004, and Executive Secretary from 2004 to 2010 under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Meanwhile, Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. extended sympathies to the family of Ermita.

"He was instrumental in laying and solidifying the very foundations of peace in our country. Having witnessed the horrors of war firsthand, he developed a profound and unwavering yearning for peace. This conviction propelled him to carve out a unique niche within the military establishment and make the peaceful resolution of conflict the central focus of his service to the government and the Filipino people," Galvez said.

The OPAPRU said Ermita’s efforts were not confined to the field.

"He was a tireless diplomat for peace on the international stage, working with the Philippine delegation to gain recognition and support from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Alongside Ambassador Joey Syjuco, he formed the lean and mean secretariat of the government panel whose work led to the landmark 1976 Tripoli Agreement. His experiences provided him with invaluable insights into the history, culture, and aspirations of the Moro people," Galvez noted.

As a key member of the National Unification Commission (NUC), the OPAPRU said Ermita also helped craft the nation's comprehensive peace policy.

In a critical mission for President Fidel V. Ramos in October 1992, Ermita led a delegation that successfully convinced Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman Nur Misuari to resume peace negotiations with the government.

"This was built on a foundation of trust, where Chairman Misuari confided in him the movement's struggles and dreams. These tireless efforts culminated in the signing of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement, a major milestone in the Bangsamoro peace process," Galvez said.

In 2001, Ermita was appointed as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process. Over three years, he led the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the predecessor of OPAPRU, "with exceptional performance, refining peace policies that continue to have an impact today."

It was also during his time as Executive Secretary when former President Gloria Macapagal Arroroyo issued Executive Order (EO) No. 570 in 2006 or the Philippine policy that "Institutionalizes Peace Education in Basic and Teacher Education" by mandating its integration into the national curriculum.

The initiative aims to foster a culture of peace by incorporating peace concepts, skills, and values in both basic education and teacher training programs.

In 2023, the OPAPRU bestowed Ermita the Highest Distinction Award at the Gawad Kapayapaan, recognizing his significant contributions to the Philippine peace process.

"On behalf of the OPAPRU, I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of General Ermita. We have lost a great patriot and a true peacemaker. His contributions will forever be etched in the history of our nation's journey towards peace. He will remain as one of the major pillars and cornerstones of our peace process," Galvez said.