As the Philippine Army upscales capabilities to address the country’s archipelagic challenges, Lieutenant General Roy Mabagos Galido has committed to better equip the force, and enhance its ability to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Army’s ability to operate in diverse terrains — from dense jungles to coastal areas — has been crucial to securing the nation’s internal stability and protecting Filipinos from internal threats.

Galido said the Army has been well-equipped for internal operations and small-scale warfare over the years, but the emphasis on a comprehensive archipelagic defense concept (CADC) calls for an enhancement of the Army’s overall strength, effectiveness, and combat readiness “to better protect the nation’s integrity and security.”

“My thrust is to transform the Army into a more formidable fighting force to be able to defend our country in a sense that we acquire appropriate fighting platforms for territorial defense,” Galido told the DAILY TRIBUNE in an exclusive interview.

Apart from acquiring new equipment, the Army chief stressed the need to improve training, refine tactics and enhance operational readiness within the service.

Galido said by acquiring “appropriate fighting platforms,” the Army intends to secure strategic areas and bolster its defenses, making it even more prepared for conventional warfare or non-traditional security threats — such as insurgency and terrorism.

“In accordance with CADC, we really need to project the Army’s strength in the interest of our country. We should know what the Army can project to support the defense efforts of the Air Force and the Navy,” he stressed.

Galido noted that the Army’s fire capability should be parallel with the appropriate platform.

“We can have a mid-range missile system, short-range missile system, all to support the Air Force and Navy’s fighting platform. That’s the first, because that is beyond the land,” he said.

The Philippine Army is the oldest and largest branch of the AFP, with 11 divisions and special units deployed across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

“The Army is the primary force in land defense, thus before it reaches the land — we prevent and we become a deterrence for any foreign entity to set foot on our land,” Galido said.

Highlighting the current limitations of the Philippine Army, Galido recognizes the importance of upgrading the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy first.

“Because right now, the Army cannot compete with the requirements of the Air Force and Navy. Because we know — in territorial defense, the maritime and air domain awareness or capability is a priority. Because this is beyond our land. So, where are we now? For me, the Air Force and Navy, they have to strengthen first,” he shared.

Despite this, Galido believes the Army is on the right path as it transitions from internal security operations to addressing external security threats along with the other major service units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We are still in the transition. But what is important is we have identified and we have plotted our course towards that capability,” he said.

Colorful career

On 31 July 2023, Galido was appointed as the 66th commanding general of the Philippine Army. He was a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy “Bigkis Lahi” Class of 1990.

Galido has served in the military for 36 years, holding various positions within the AFP that have developed his leadership capabilities and sharpened his vision as a soldier.

His military career began as a Platoon Leader of the 63rd Infantry Battalion and Company Commander of the 1st Infantry Battalion — all under the 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division.

He held previous designations in the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP); Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Comptrollership (OJ6); AFP Management & Fiscal Office (AFPMFO); Army Resource Management Office (ARMO); Office of the Army Fiscal Management (OAFM); AFP Systems Engineering Office (AFPSEO); and The Inspector General of the Philippine Army.

On 20 January 2023, Galido was designated as the 16th commander of the AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom).

During his stint, Galido focused on eliminating loose firearms, strengthening efforts against the armed communist group and fighting with lawless elements to achieve lasting peace in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

He also played an active role in the Transformation Program for the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), alongside the GPH-MNLF Coordinating Committee under the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), as well as supporting the parallel effort of the Normalization Program for the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

He also served as the commander of the 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division and led various units, including Task Group Tugis, Task Group Bigkis-Lahi, the 40th Infantry Battalion, the 38th Infantry Battalion, and the 601st Infantry Brigade, spearheading the campaign against the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

Galido has completed several specialized courses, including the Infantry Officer Basic Course, where he graduated 3rd in his class; the Special Forces Operations Course, where he graduated 2nd; and the Infantry Officer Advance Course, Intelligence Officer Course, and Military Intelligence Collection Course, all of which he topped.

He also aced the Basic Airborne Course, Terrorism/Counterterrorism Course, VIP Course, Case Officer Course, Site Exploitation Course, Command and General Staff Course.

Galido completed the Senior Executive Course on National Security at the National Defense College of the Philippines with distinction.

He studied abroad, completing courses such as the Defense Research Analysis Course and Intermediate Intelligence Officers Course in Brisbane, Australia; the Tactical Commanders Course with the US Counter Terrorism Training Group; an Executive Seminar on Internal Affairs at the US Defense Institute of International Legal Studies; Technical Operations in New Zealand; and an Executive Program in Defense Decision Making in California, USA.

He also acquired three Master’s degrees: in Management from Philippine Christian University-Manila; Information Technology from the University of New South Wales, Australia; and Public Management with a focus on Development Security from the Development Academy of the Philippines.

Galido was a recipient of Outstanding Achievement Medal, Distinguished Service Stars, Distinguished Service Medals, CSAFP Commendation Medal and Ribbon, CGPA Award (Order of Emilio Aguinaldo), Military Achievement Medal, Long Service Medals, Gawad sa Kaunlaran, Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal, Military Merit Medals, and Military Commendation Medals among others.

Leading by example, infusing reforms

Galido never expected to be designated as the Army chief despite his qualifications.

“I never aspired to be leading the army. I just work hard in all my tasks to improve systems and the way I handle people. It’s an everyday development,” he said.

Galido used his post to initiate much-needed reforms in the Army, “especially in the context of transitioning from internal security to territorial defense.”

Reflecting on his military career, Galido seeks to “lead by example.”

“It takes a lot of personal sacrifices. There are things that I want to do but I think of what is more important for the majority so I have to set aside my personal interests,” he said.

Galido is also leading the Army troops with a strong commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Providing soldiers’ needs

As Army chief, Galido emphasized the importance of consistently identifying and addressing the needs of the soldiers and their ground units.

“And for that to be identified, I check them out, I reach out to them their primary requirements,” he said.

Galido said every soldier deserves to have a proper working environment and “the proper support system for them to serve better,” including the need to provide for their families.

“They should feel that even though they serve so hard, their family will be taken care of — having access to health facilities and services in the Army because if you create this environment properly, this will provide the proper mindset for soldiers that: ‘I will serve better no matter what’,” he added.

He then stressed the importance of constantly reminding soldiers why they chose to render military service and continuously boosting their morale.

“They should always be reminded of their primary motivation why they joined the Army,” he said.

“I always tell them: ‘You should know what your life would look like once you have rendered military service because this is temporary,’” he added.

Galido sees there’s always a life after someone ends his military service.

“They only think about the short term. But if they see the future, they will be more circumspect in their decisions and their actions. Because anything that they do that is below the standards of the Army would have an impact on their service,” he said.

During his tenure, Galido invested heavily in the professional growth of individual soldiers and officers, by defining competency development among the ranks.

“So you will not stagnate. We are now in the position of or in the stage where you get promoted because you have developed this competency for a higher role. You don’t get promoted because you have stayed long in this rank. So gone are those days. But you get professional growth because you have developed this competency,” he said.

Generations of warriors

Galido, who is a Tagalog native, was born on 25 July 1968. He was the son of a retired Lt. Gen. Alejandro Galido from Sebaste town, Antique.

Despite being a child of a military man, Galido shared he never experienced living in a military camp with his father until he became a soldier.

“I never grew up under his shadow. I never lived in a military camp with him,” he said.

Galido took up a bachelor’s degree in the University of the Philippines for a year before applying and passing the PMA entrance examination.

Although he has achieved so much in his military career, there were times he considered leaving the service. It happened when he was given a chance to study abroad.

“I was acquiring this skill set and competency, which gave me an option to be able to work outside the country,” he said.

Galido considered an opportunity that promised “a better environment, a more stress-free work.”

However, fate had other plans, he refused the offer, and he was led to his true calling as a military leader.

“After that schooling, I was given so many challenges in work, infusing reforms, infusing system change, where I’ve realized, I need to contribute more to the Army, I need to be around the military service,” he said.

Galido leads the Philippine Army in developing the necessary competencies to fulfill its mandate, particularly in combating local terrorism, while also strengthening efforts to defend the nation against external security challenges.

“Now, we’re developing the competency for territorial defense. The weapon system and the platform that we need for territorial defense are critical,” he said.

“We have already identified the gaps, the areas of improvement and we have plans to address them,” he added.

Acknowledging the soldiers’ significant sacrifices and strong patriotism, Galido stressed the importance of ensuring they receive the support they rightfully deserve in return.

“Soldiering is difficult. So in return, sacrifices and patriotism must be compensated with good leadership, good working environment, and proper tools for them to perform their job,” Galido said.