Duterte appoints ex-military officials to lead COVID-19 response

President Duterte has designated former military officials to lead the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is the overall head of the National Task Force (NTF) COVID-19, with Interior Secretary Eduardo Año as vice chair and Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. as chief implementer.

Galvez's role includes ensuring strict compliance to guidelines and protocols issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, protecting public safety, and distributing government assistance efficiently.

The appointments aim to leverage the military background of these officials for discipline, organization, and tactical strategies in combating the pandemic.