Galvez bids AFP staff farewell; gives commendation medals to officers

Retiring AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. addresses civilian and military personnel at Camp Aguinaldo./ AFP PAO

MANILA, Philippines — Retiring Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. tendered his farewell to military and civilian personnel at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, his last whole day in office.

“I could not be any happier and more content than I am now, that we are able to accomplish our goals. All of these will not be possible without your help and support. I am happy that I will be leaving the Armed Forces in good hands,” he told AFP personnel during the flag-raising ceremony.

Galvez also handed commendation medals to Maj. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, the deputy chief of staff for intelligence; Maj. Gen. Isidro Purisima, the deputy chief of staff for operations; Brig. Gen. Ser-Me Ayuyao, The Judge Advocate General; and Mrs. Editha Lorenzana for her contributions and support during the Marawi siege.

“I may never thank you enough for all the hard work and patience, but I did try my best with the programs and policies that will boost the morale of our personnel. Years of experience have taught me that I can only harness commitment and devotion to public service by providing to be a better example of myself. And I always believed that morale of personnel first, and mission accomplishment always,” he said.

Galvez also thanked Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison and the Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Gaudencio Collado Jr. for their steady support and steering the AFP toward mission accomplishment.

“For the information of everybody, our vice chief is our fiscalizer. He is in charge of our program and in charge of AFP financial committee. He instituted a lot of reforms in weeding out corruption in the AFP,” he said.

Galvez, who was recently appointed to lead the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process after his retirement, will relinquish his post to Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal on Tuesday.  /kga