Marawi prelate pins hope on new military chief

A Catholic bishop said he hopes that being a ‘decent’ man, the new Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. could deliver crucial reforms the military needs.

Bishop Edwin dela Peña of Marawi has known Galvez for quite some time and was the first person he contacted when Islamic State-inspired terrorists laid siege in the city last year.

“He is a very decent officer and gentleman. I hope we can expect a better military under his helm,” he said.

The prelate said Galvez constantly updated him about the situation of the siege including the situation of Fr. Teresito Suganob and other civilians held hostage by the Maute terrorists.

Suganob was eventually rescued by the military.

“He gave me updates of the crisis from time to time,” Dela Peña added.

As Western Mindanao Command chief, Galvez played a key role in ending the five-month Marawi siege.

He succeeds AFP Chief of Staff Leonardo Guerrero who will retire on April 24.