Carlito Galvez is next AFP chief

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

President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Lieutenant Gen. Carlito Galvez as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Malacañang said on Thursday.

“Inappoint na rin po ng Presidente si Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez as Chief of Staff ng Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters at the Palace.

(The President has also appointed Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.)

Roque said Galvez would take his oath as the new AFP chief on April 18, together with newly-appointed Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde.

Galvez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1985, is the chief of the Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom).

READ: Duterte says Albayalde will be next PNP chief

Albayalde is the currently the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Galvez was one of the generals who had a key role during the Marawi City siege, the country’s longest urban conflict in recent years.

READ: 3 names turn up as ‘strongest candidates’ for new AFP chief – Lorenzana

Galvez will replace Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero who will retire as AFP chief on April 24 after the President extended his term from December 17, his birthday.

The military has a mandatory retirement age of 56. /je