Duterte names ex-Army general as Defense undersecretary

President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Armed Forces vice chief of staff Reynaldo Mapagu as Defense undersecretary for civil, veterans, and retiree affairs.

Mapagu, also a former Army chief, will be taking the place of former Army Major General Eduardo del Rosario who was named by the President as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordination Council in July.

Duterte signed Mapagu’s appointment on September 27. Prior to his appointment to the DND, Mapagu was a member of the board of directors of the North Luzon Railways Corporation.

Defense spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong said Wednesday that Mapagu “is a welcome addition to our One Defense Team,” noting his previous work in the AFP.

“Usec Mapagu is no stranger to the Defense establishment, having served in various key AFP positions prior to his retirement,” Andolong said in a press statement.

“With his wealth of experience and knowledge, he will greatly contribute to the attainment of DND’s mission, especially in the functional areas under his supervision,” he added.

Under his new post, Mapagu will be handling Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, among others.

Mapagu is a member of Philippine Military Academy "Makatarungan" Class of 1978.

He also served as the commander of the National Capital Region Command; commander of the 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army which covered the whole of Davao Region, Compostela Valley Province and some parts of North Cotabato and Region 12; the chief of staff of the Philippine Army; and the regiment commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, Philippine Army. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News