Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri wants retiring Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez to take over the post of Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza who resigned after President Rodrigo Duterte named some of his men as being involved in corruption.
The President fired Ronald Flores, undersecretary for Support Services and national program manager of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan, and Yeshter Donn Baccay, assistant secretary for Support Services and PAMANA Concerns for corruption.
“My recommendation is Gen. Galvez as a good replacement. He was with us during discussions in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law and his closeness to the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and other armed groups, including the BIFF (Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters) was proven there,” Zubiri told reporters during Thursday’s “Kapihan sa Senado.”
He said it Galvez even said that he does not want war and instead, he goes for peace.
“He is a general ready for war, trained for war but open to pursue peace,” said Zubiri.
When questioned if Galvez would be acceptable to communist groups, Zubiri said that “I don’t think Gen. Galvez wants his men being killed by [the] NPA (New People’s Army).
“I think he wants to put a stop [to] the killings. I will give him the benefit of the doubt,” added the senator.
Galvez earlier asked Dureza if he could be a consultant for the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process which the latter accepted.
Galvez is retiring on Dec. 12.
Zubiri said he was saddened by Dureza’s resignation while noting that he played a key role and helped Congress finalize the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
“He was close to the armed components of the peace process in Mindanao so I am sad. He is a very difficult person to replace. How can you find a person who will replace him? It’s very difficult because there’s trust issue, di ka puwedeng maglagay ng tao na di nila kilala,” he said.
Zubiri said he wants Dureza to return but if not, he believes Galvez, whom he described as a man who knows a lot about the sacrifices of war, is fit for the job.