UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González presents a plaque of recognition to Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Photo from OPAPRU
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Philippines — The United Nations (UN) commended Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. for his role in advancing the Bangsamoro peace process in his stint as presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity of President Rodrigo Duterte.
UN Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Gustavo González cited Galvez’s “commitment and professionalism in peacebuilding efforts,” many of which were done in collaboration with the UN Philippines.
Gonzales said that among the “important achievements” of the government in bringing peace is the “effective decommissioning” of 20,000 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants and the screening of some 11,000 MILF and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) members for possible entry into the Philippine National Police.
He said these are key commitments in the peace agreement between the government and the MILF and MNLF.
According to Gonzales, Galvez “personally contributed to the absence of major conflict since the Marawi Siege in 2017 which has led to [the] increase of economic activity across the Bangsamoro region.”
This, he noted, “is a clear demonstration of the so-called peace dividends.”
Gonzales also cited how Galvez “also contributed to the strengthening of the role of women and the youth in the peace process, conflict transformation and the protection of human rights” that is deemed “crucial for securing sustainable peace.”
The UN Philippines, through the United Nations Development Programme, has supported the government’s various peacebuilding programs.
In a reception organized by the UN last Wednesday, Gonzales presented a plaque of recognition to Galvez.
During the event, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin lauded Galvez for his role in ending the Marawi siege in 2017 as commander of the military’s Western Mindanao Command, and his role in overseeing the national government’s COVID-19 response.
Galvez thanked the UN and other international development partners for their help in strengthening the peace process.
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