HEADLINE | The Dept. of National Defense (DND) dismissed opposition over plans to establish additional U.S. military facilities on Philippine bases .
Defense Officer in Charge Carlito Galvez Jr. Photo from Department of National Defense
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Defense Officer in Charge Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Friday that the Philippine government “is aiming to achieve an optimal number and locations of the EDCA sites to maximize their coverage of the Philippine archipelago.”
“We understand the apprehensions expressed by our local chief executives about EDCA and our bilateral exercises. However, we must consider the volatile situation in which we operate and not view our country in isolation,” said Galvez.
“The Philippines straddles a crucial location in the Pacific, and we have seaboards to the north, south, east and west. All of these must be monitored and protected,” he added.
Last month, the DND announced the Philippine and US governments agreed to designate four new EDCA Agreed Locations. EDCA, along with the Visiting Forces Agreement, operationalizes the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
The agreement will give US troops access to four more bases, with the aim of accelerating the full implementation of EDCA.
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Previously, both countries have designated five locations for the EDCA: the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, which is closest to the Kalayaan Island Group; Basa Air Base in Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the country’s largest military camp; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu in the Visayas and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City in Mindanao.
The DND has yet to name the locations of the new EDCA sites, saying it would be made public once all the necessary consultations, coordination, staff work and other requirements are completed or complied with. However, two sites in Cagayan, and one each in Palawan, Zambales, and Isabela have been mentioned.
While Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba said he was not keen on having an EDCA site in his province, his vice governor, Melvin Vargas Jr., was more calm in his opinion on the issue.
Vargas told The Manila Times in an interview earlier this week that any plans to establish two additional US military facilities in the province of Cagayan would require extensive public consultations.
“Formality wise we are still waiting for the scheduled consultations that will happen in our province. Hopefully, different sectors will be invited. I will be one of those who will attend to be able to learn more about the plan,” he said.‘Long overdue’
Signed in 2014, EDCA’s implementation was delayed for various reasons, Galvez said.
“EDCA was met with legal challenges, but the Supreme Court eventually upheld its constitutionality in 2016. Coupled with other technical issues, which have since been resolved, and the restrictions brought by the pandemic, the implementation of the projects under EDCA was delayed for many years,” said Galvez.
“Thus, the identification of new sites for additional EDCA Agreed Locations is actually long overdue.”
Galvez also emphasized that developing the nation’s defense capabilities through bilateral efforts such as EDCA with the US aims to build deterrence, and is not for engaging in war or interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations.
“The geopolitical situation is becoming more precarious by the day,” he said. “Our projects under EDCA and our other defense partnerships are not intended for aggression. We are not preparing for war, rather we are aiming to develop our defense capabilities against eventualities and threats to our security.”
The Defense chief added that the Philippines continues to forge ties not only with the US, but also with our friends, allies and like-minded nations.
“While we are further deepening and seeking ways to modernize our long-standing alliance with the US, we are pursuing engagements with many other like-minded nations,” said Galvez. “We are hopeful for the continued support of the Filipino people in these endeavors.”
He said that projects under EDCA are geared toward enhancing the facility readiness of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as part of its modernization efforts to speed up external defense development.Response to external threats
“As the Commander in Chief, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the AFP recently, we are shifting our focus towards territorial defense, especially in the West Philippine Sea,” Galvez said.
He noted that previous engagements and exercises by the country with its partners used to focus only on internal security operations.
“Now, we are eyeing to strengthen our abilities to respond to external threats that may arise along our border areas.”
Galvez further stressed that undertaking projects under EDCA is one of the DND and AFP’s various efforts to prepare for contingencies in the domestic and regional spheres. These include responding to natural disasters and calamities, evacuating Filipino citizens in the region whenever needed, undertaking search and rescue operations, and defending against invasion.
“The MDT is founded on the principle of peace and promotion of regional stability. These underpin our activities and projects under EDCA,” he said.”As a nation, we renounce war as a foreign policy. However, we are committed to exhaust all available means and the resources available to us to defend our national interests.”
‘Potential military target’
International relations and law experts, however, warned of consequences with the expansion of EDCA which, although not publicly admitted they pointed out, was partly designed to counter Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Dr. Melissa Loja, Philippine Judicial Academy lecturer and consultant at the Office of the Chief Justice, noted that a territory of a neutral state, such as the EDCA sites in various parts of the country which is the location of stockpiles of weapon systems of a “belligerent state such as the US, can be a legitimate military target of another belligerent state, such as China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran.”
Loja said this is under the Caroline test which is considered part of customary international law that was adopted in the military tribunals in the Nuremberg trials and which is now part of the law of warfare.
“That use and ownership can justify a belligerent state making an attack on an EDCA site in the Philippines where there are US weapon stockpiles,” she said.
Loja noted that under EDCA Article 4 Paragraph 1, the US has the “unmitigated right” to stockpile not just supplies for humanitarian aid but also military weapons. The agreement, however, makes clear that this material cannot include nuclear weapons.
International law expert Sass Rogando Sasot, meanwhile, said that as to the claim that the Philippines will be a target if war occurs “this has long been a concern of Filipinos even when we negotiated for Philippine independence in the 1940s.”
“Additional EDCA sites will provide additional targeting challenges for China. What does this mean? This means that the conflict will be more complicated. Rather than China only targeting the US military bases in Guam and Okinawa, the Philippines will also be included. So, this is the truth on the issue and even the US media is talking about this,” said Sasot.
On the other hand, George Siy, director of the Integrated Development Studies Institute (IDSI), said what the EDCA expansion is actually doing is “undermining” the gains in a “more improved Philippine-China relations that was achieved under the previous administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
During the Duterte administration, the Wharton-educated Siy pointed out that China became the top bilateral partner of the Philippines.
He said the latest available data showed that in 2020, 27.2 percent of the Philippines’ total trade is with China which is roughly around $41.8 billion compared to the US which is just 10.9 percent or $16.5 billion during the same period.
Between 2016 and 2022, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data showed that firms from China and Hong Kong invested $1.7 billion in the Philippines, trailing only Japan but ahead of the US ($1.3 billion).
While Japan continues to lead in aggregate amounts, Chinese-based investors led in volume. From 2016 to 2018, there were 3,634 firms established with Chinese investors, far outranking new firms with Japanese (1,091) and US investors (1,317).
During this period Chinese investors led the launch of and subsequent growth in online gaming and on-site casinos as well as realizing strong returns in real estate, especially around the Metro Manila area.
Carlito Galvez Jr.
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This article is missing information about his career in the government. (December 2020)
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Retired General
Carlito G. Galvez Jr.
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Galvez in 2019
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| 28th Secretary of National Defense | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2023 |
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| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Jose Faustino Jr. (OIC) |
| Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process | |
| In office December 12, 2018 – January 9, 2023 |
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| President | Rodrigo Duterte Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Jesus Dureza |
| Succeeded by | Isidro L. Purisima (Acting) |
| IATF-EID Vaccine Czar | |
| In office November 2, 2020 – June 30, 2022 |
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| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Chief Implementer of the National Task Force against COVID-19 | |
| In office March 16, 2020 – June 30, 2022 |
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| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| 50th Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines |
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| In office April 18, 2018 – December 11, 2018 |
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| President | Rodrigo Duterte |
| Preceded by | Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero |
| Succeeded by | Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Carlito Guancing Galvez Jr.
December 12, 1962 |
| Alma mater | Philippine Military Academy University of New South Wales (M.PM) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Philippines |
| Branch/service | Philippine Army |
| Years of service | 1985–2018 |
| Rank |  General |
| Unit | Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP Western Mindanao Command 6th Infantry Division Chairman, Government of the Philippines Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCCH) Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Organization & Training, J3 104th Brigade, 1 ID Task Group Panther Bravo, FSSR 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, FSSR |
| Battles/wars | Moro conflict Communist rebellion in the Philippines Zamboanga City crisis Battle of Marawi |
Carlito Guancing Galvez Jr. (Tagalog pronunciation: [kaɾˈlito ˈɡalvɛs], born December 12, 1962) is a retired Philippine Army general serving as the secretary of National Defense since 2023. He previously served as the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process during the presidencies of Rodrigo Duterte and Bongbong Marcos from 2018 to 2022. He also served as the Chief Implementer of the Philippines’ Declared National Policy Against COVID-19 (COVID-19 National Task Force).[1] In November 2020, he was appointed as the country’s COVID-19 vaccine czar,[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5]
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.[6]
Galvez also attended the Asian Institute of Management Center for Bridging Leadership, the Infantry Officer Advance Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, the Military Operation Research Symposium in Singapore, the Crisis Management Course in Hawaii, the Counter-terrorism Conference in the National Defense University, in Washington, D.C., the Rules of Engagement in Sanremo, Italy and the AFP Command and Staff College Class 47, where he served as Class President and Valedictorian.[7]
Military career
Galvez with Moro Islamic Liberation Front chairman and Chief Minister of Bangsamoro Murad Ebrahim in Camp Aguinaldo in November 2018
After graduating at the Philippine Military Academy in 1985,[8] 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.[7] Throughout the 1990s, he spent most of his career in Mindanao, particularly in the islands of Basilan and Sulu, and commanded multiple units and commands in the Philippine Army and the AFP, including the 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, where his unit was named the “best scout ranger battalion” in 2 consecutive years (2000 and 2001) and the Task Group Panther Bravo of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment.[9]
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.[8] Galvez also led units during the Zamboanga City crisis, where he commanded infantry units and launched defense operations within the city of Lamitan in Basilan, after the city’s surroundings were occupied from an attack of the Abu Sayyaf group and its allies. Galvez’s units successfully defended the city from the terrorists in the aftermath of the group’s two-day offensive from September 12 to 14, 2013.[6]
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.[10][11]
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,[12] and intercepted numerous movements of terrorist groups, including piracy, in the region.[6] Through his efforts on his diplomatic mentoring strategy in Western Mindanao, a total of 1,343 loose firearms were surrendered and recovered by the region’s Joint Task Forces.[6]
AFP Chief of Staff[edit]
Portrait of Gen. Galvez during his stint as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from April 18, 2018 to December 11, 2018
Six months after the siege, Galvez was appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on April 18, 2018. As AFP Chief, he focused on ending the decades-long communist insurgency, while addressing the threat of terrorism and extremism, particularly in Mindanao. General Galvez also expanded his peace initiatives throughout the country, which led to the surrender of members of various communist fronts and terrorist groups, while providing assistance to law enforcement agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation in the fight against illegal drugs and criminality elements. Galvez also spearheaded the AFP modernization program, where he implemented shifts on the program as part of the lessons from the Marawi Siege, such as the procurement of high-caliber weapons for internal and external defense, and initiated updated doctrines on enhancing urban warfare and human rights. Galvez also led in promoting transparency and good governance within the AFP organization. Galvez ended his term as AFP Chief on December 11, 2018, where he was succeeded by his classmate, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr..[8][6][13]
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.[14]
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.[15]
National Defense Secretary
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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 Secretary of National Defense by President Bongbong Marcos.[16]
Awards
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| 1st row | Chief Commander, Philippine Legion of Honor | |||||
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| 2nd row | Officer, Philippine Legion of Honor | 3 Distinguished Service Stars with two bronze anahaw clusters | 5 Gold Cross medals with four bronze anahaw clusters | |||
| 3rd row | Order of Lapu-Lapu, Kamagi Medal | 2 Outstanding Achievement Medal with one bronze anahaw cluster | 6 Bronze Cross Medal with three bronze anahaw clusters | |||
| 4th row | Military Merit Medals with three bronze anahaws (30 overall military merit medals) | Military Merit Medals with one spearhead device (30 overall military merit medals) | 12 Military Commendation Medals with three triangle clasps | |||
| 5th row | Wounded Personnel Medal | 2 Military Civic Action Medals | Long Service Medal with two campaign stars | |||
| 6th row | 2 Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medals | Luzon Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal | Visayas Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal | |||
| 7th row | Mindanao Anti-Dissidence Campaign Medal with two campaign stars | Jolo and Sulu Campaign Medal with one campaign star | Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon | |||
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| 1st row | Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation | |||||
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| 2nd row | Martial Law Unit Citation | People Power I Unit Citation | People Power II Unit Citation | |||
Badges and Other Awards:
Legion of Merit (US Armed Forces)
Combat Commander’s Badge (Philippines)
AFP Parachutist Badge
Scout Ranger Qualification Badge
AFP Command & General Staff Course Badge
PAF Gold Wings Badge- AFP Leadership Award
- The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers in 2007
- United States Eisenhower Fellowships in 2006[17]
- Gawad Dangal ng Lipi[18]
- Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) “Salamat Po” Humanitarian Award
- Outstanding Citizen of Taguig City Award
- Ateneo Peace Award[13]
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Personal life
Galvez is married to Marissa M. Pascua, an international flight purser of Philippine Airlines; they have a daughter, Mary Frances Therese.[19]
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