New AFP chief vows to weed out corrupt officers

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez (File photo by FRANCES MANGOSING / INQUIRER.net)

Newly-installed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez vowed to weed out corrupt officers in the military.

“The President has zero tolerance for corruption. We will have no fear of relieving people who are mediocre and full of anomalies. We will keep the AFP clean, I will not hesitate to relieve any commander who will be tainted with corruption,” Galvez was quoted as saying in his speech at his first flag-raising ceremony as AFP chief on Monday.

The new AFP chief ordered the office of the Inspector General to investigate reported anomalies in the use of resources “to ensure judicious use of funds and proper management of government assets.”

He also told military personnel and civilian employees in attendance that while he is “strict” with erring officers, he might also give awards and cash incentives to deserving personnel.

The new AFP chief said he is also keen on promoting officers and enlisted personnel who are excelling in their respective positions.

Plaques of recognition and cash incentives starting from P10,000 await top performing officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees who will be selected on a quarterly basis.

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel had been tasked to craft the necessary deliberations.

“I am results-oriented. We must be outputs-oriented as we value teamwork and meritocracy. Be righteous. Be perfect, because any mistake may mean the lives of the people we have sworn to serve and protect; and the lives of our very own soldiers,” Galvez said.

The new AFP chief also echoed the order of President Rodigo Duterte to expedite the processing of contracts related to the AFP Modernization Program.

“The President is pushing us to make our modernization move forward, we need to choose people who can deliver results for our modernization,” he said. /jpv

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