Ex-AFP Chief Roy Cimatu Is President Duterte’s Special Envoy For OFW Refugees

Malacañan on Sunday, April 23, confirmed that former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Roy Cimatu is now a member of President Rodrigo Durterte’s Cabinet.

In his speech at the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2017 in Antique, President Duterte mentioned Cimatu and addressed the former military chief as “secretary.”

“The other member of the Cabinet is really Secretary Roy Cimatu,” President Duterte said. “He is an Ilocano. Many, many years ago, he was assigned in a division in Davao. Doon kami nagkakilala,” the President said.

“He’s a candidate for another [position] – Cabinet na siya ngayon, eh. But this time, I transferred him to a busier job,” he added.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement following President Duterte’s speech that Cimatu’s Cabinet position is Special Envoy for OFW Refugees.

In his visit to the Middle East during the Holy Week, President Duterte announced that he was talking with Cimatu for a possible Cabinet position.

Cimatu was appointed by President Duterte as his special envoy to the Middle East last year.

President Duterte said during his Middle East visit that Cimatu was Arroyo’s go-to man for the mass evacuation of overseas Filipino workers.

Cimatu, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1970, was AFP Chief from May to September in 2002.

Source: CNPH