Carlito Galvez Jr.

Carlito Guancing Galvez Jr. (, born December 12, 1962) is a retired Philippine Army general who became Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (PAPRU) in 2023.

He had served as PAPRU since 2018, briefly stepping down in January 2023 to serve as Senior Undersecretary and officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense, before being reappointed once more as PAPRU in June of the same year.

He also served as the Chief Implementer of the Philippines' Declared National Policy Against COVID-19 (COVID-19 National Task Force). In November 2020, he was appointed the country's COVID-19 vaccine czar, and was responsible for leading the government's efforts in bringing into the country about 245.23 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of May 2022 beginning in 2021 despite the global vaccine shortage.

Prior to this, he also previously served as the 50th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from April to December 2018.

Education A member of the PMA Sandiwa class of 1985, Galvez was also trained in airborne, intelligence, and special operations, particularly in the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment. Galvez received his master's degree in Project Management in the University of New South Wales, Australia, and took the Executive Education program in Harvard University, in Massachusetts. Galvez also has a specialty on Humanitarian Assistance, Strategic Management, and Peace-building Negotiations.

Military career

After graduating at the Philippine Military Academy in 1985, then-Lieutenant Galvez, along with then-Lieutenant Rolando Joselito Bautista and other AFP troops became a part of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), under the leadership then-Colonel Gregorio Honasan, and participated in the failed coup attempt against President Corazon Aquino. Galvez and his coup co-conspirators were detained before being granted amnesty in 1996 by Aquino's successor, President Fidel Ramos.

General Galvez also served as commander of the 104th Brigade, and became the deputy chief of staff for operations, organization & training, J3. Galvez also made successful efforts on the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2015 as co-chairman on the Government of the Philippines Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH), and afterwards, commanded the 6th Infantry Division.

Commander, AFP Western Mindanao Command In January 2017, then-Lieutenant General Galvez began his tenure as the commander of the commander of the AFP Western Mindanao Command. During his term as the region's top commander, Galvez expanded his peace operations within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Galvez became more known for his leadership throughout the campaign to liberate the city the Battle of Marawi, where he launched an all-out offensive to retake the city from the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terrorist groups, while secure the city's outskirt regions to prevent any terrorist reinforcements re-entering the city, and implemented safe zones with the assistance of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In the aftermath of the Marawi Siege, Galvez also led numerous combat and neutralization operations against communists and Daesh-inspired groups, including Ben Salina Sapilin, a relative of Isnilon Hapilon, and intercepted numerous movements of terrorist groups, including piracy, in the region.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process On December 12, 2018, Galvez was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process after the previous officeholder, Jesus Dureza, resigned amid a corruption scandal. He is a staunch advocate of the peace process with the Moro Front, and has been well received by many Bangsamoro stakeholders.

After President Duterte's term ended, Galvez remained presidential adviser under a "holdover capacity" until President Bongbong Marcos either appoints a new official or reappoints him to the post.

After his time as officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense, Galvez was reappointed by Marcos as Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process on June 26, 2023. He was also appointed the Philippines' representative to the June 2024 Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland.

National Defense Senior Undersecretary United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meeting Galvez in Manila on February 2, 2023. On January 9, 2023, Galvez accepted the appointment as senior undersecretary and officer-in-charge of Department of National Defense by President Bongbong Marcos. His time as officer-in-charge ended on June 5 upon the appointment of Gilbert Teodoro as Secretary of National Defense.

Awards Galvez gets the CoronaVac vaccine at the UP-PGH in Manila in March 2021.

Left Side:

Right Side:

1st row Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation 2nd row Martial Law Unit Citation People Power I Unit Citation People Power II Unit Citation

Badges and Other Awards:

AFP Leadership Award The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in 2007 United States Eisenhower Fellowships in 2006 Gawad Dangal ng Lipi Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) “Salamat Po” Humanitarian Award Outstanding Citizen of Taguig City Award Ateneo Peace Award