Succeeds Faustino who quits post following leadership change in AFP
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday named Carlito Galvez Jr. as the new Defense Secretary to replace Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., who had resigned.
Galvez, the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity who served as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief under President Rodrigo Duterte, was tapped to replace Faustino, the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said.
“It is with deep regret that the President has accepted the resignation of DND OIC Sr. Usec. Jose Faustino Jr.,” the brief statement from the PCO said.
It added that Galvez, who was also vaccine czar and chief implementer of the National Task Force against COVID-19 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, had accepted the position.
The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed Galvez’s appointment in a statement issued to the press.
“With Secretary Galvez’s years of experience as a military commander and as a civilian public servant, we are confident that he will be able to effectively lead the department as we fulfill our mandates to the nation,” the DND statement read.
The DND also acknowledged the role played by Faustino, who resigned abruptly as the government denied rumors of a destabilization plot involving the AFP, and expressed gratitude for his service and leadership.
The Palace offered no explanation about Faustino’s abrupt departure, which came days after rumors began circulating online that various DND officials and personnel were resigning.
Faustino, who formerly served as chief of staff of the AFP, was appointed by Mr. Marcos to the Defense portfolio last July after he came to power.
At the time, Faustino vowed to ensure a “smooth implementation” of the military’s modernization program.
Rumors of a destabilization plot spread during Saturday’s turnover of command from outgoing AFP chief Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bartolome to Gen. Andres Centino, who was reappointed to the position by Mr. Marcos.
A copy of a memo whose authenticity could not be verified said all Philippine National Police (PNP) units were to be placed on full alert due to “developing issues in Camp Aguinaldo,” and the “resignation of all personnel in the DND” and “destabilization movements from the AFP.”
Lt. Col. Dexter Ominga of the Police Regional Office of Cordillera signed the memo.
But national police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. denied the existence of any destabilization plot and the memo’s authenticity, even as he ordered an investigation into its circulation online.
Azurin said the PNP and the AFP were operating normally.
He said he spoke with Centino and they committed to working hand-in-hand to ensure the stability of the Marcos administration.
“So as far as the destabilization is concerned, I don’t think there is one,” Azurin said.
AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar also dismissed the rumors.
Azurin said the Ominga, whose name was on the memo, would be investigated.
“The appropriate charges as well as the consequences of the lapses, if any, will be meted to Col. Dexter [Ominga],” he said.
He added that the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) will also look into the spread of the document on social media.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said anyone proven guilty of spreading misinformation would be punished.
Meanwhile, former PNP chief and senator Panfilo Lacson said the country’s military officials are generally loyal to their sworn duty and the Constitution.
This was in response to destabilization rumors that floated following Centino’s appointment as military chief, with some Defense officials reportedly planning to resign over the issue.
“DND OIC (officer-in-charge) Jose Faustino Jr., newly designated AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Andres Centino, and newly retired Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, along with two or three DND undersecretaries, all belong to PMA (Philippine Military Academy) Class 1988. Even among PMA batch mates, sometimes there are dynamics due to personal associations and loyalties that cannot be avoided,” the ex-senator said.
“There is information though that OIC and Senior DND Undersecretary Faustino mentioned to some close associates as early as last month that he will resign if Lt. Gen. Bacarro is replaced. That could have probably triggered the rumored ‘mass resignation’ in the DND,” Lacson said.
He said the PNP had clarified the reason for its supposed heightened alert status which rumormongers had used to bolster their claims.
“It was for another purpose, not related to any destabilization and the rumored ‘mass resignation’ of DND officials which as it turned out is just that — rumor,” Lacson said.
The PNP earlier said such measures were done to ensure the security for the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila.
