Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday named Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez as the new Chief of Staff of the country’s armed forces.
The announcement was made by presidential spokesman Harry Roque at a press briefing.
Galvez, who led troops in the five-month battle to retake Marawi city from terrorist insurgents that occupied the southern Philippines city in May, will replace Gen. Rey Leonardo who will finish his extended term on April 24, Xinhua reported.
Galvez will lead the armed forces until his retirement in December. He will take oath as new armed forces chief on April 18, also the date when incoming Philippines National Police chief Oscar Albayalde will take his oath.
Philippines Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana described Galvez as “a professional and competent officer” and said “he can be a good chief of staff”.
Galvez assumed as Western Mindanao Command commander in January last year. Before that, he was the commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division based in Maguindanao province.