MANILA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua): Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos has appointed Carlito Galvez as the new defense secretary after the resignation of the former defense chief, a presidential official said on Monday.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Office officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil said Marcos has accepted the resignation of Defense officer-in-charge Jose Faustino.
Galvez, a military general and former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, has accepted the position, she added.
The new defense chief was an adviser to the president on peace, reconciliation and unity before the latest nomination. Under former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, Galvez was also named chief implementer of the fight against COVID-19, or vaccine czar that was in charge of the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Philippines has seen leadership personnel adjustment in defense and military since the new year. Last Friday, Marcos appointed General Andres Centino as the new chief of staff of the AFP, replacing the outgoing Lieutenant General Bartolome Bacarro. - Xinhua
