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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-26/eduardo-ermita.avif" alt="General Eduardo Ermita" loading="lazy" />
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(General Eduardo Ermita.  Source: <a href="https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/664155/eduardo-ermita-former-executive-secretary-dies-at-90" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net</a>)
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<h2>
Early Military Career and Training
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Ermita's military journey began when he graduated from the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3155/the-history-of-the-philippine-military-academy" class="news_link">Philippine Military Academy</a> in 1957, as part of PMA Class of 1957, where one of his batchmates was future AFP Chief of Staff and Defense Secretary <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3260/renato-de-villa-born-on-july-20-1935-a-distinguished-filipino-military-leader-and-statesman" class="news_link">Renato de Villa</a>. Upon commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the young officer immediately saw action in the anti-Huk campaign, serving from 1957 to 1959 in the jungles of the Sierra Madre in Quezon province.
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His military education was extensive and international in scope. Ermita attended elite training institutions including the Ranger School and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1960-1961; the Counterintelligence Course at the Special Intelligence School in Fort Bonifacio in 1962; and the Special Forces Course at Fort Magsaysay from 1962 to 1963. Particularly significant was his training in psychological operations, completing the Unit Psychological Officers Course at the Kennedy Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from 1970 to 1971 - training that would define much of his military career. He later pursued the Command and General Staff Course at Fort Bonifacio in 1974 and the Defense Resource Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, from 1978 to 1979.
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<h2>
Vietnam Service and Psychological Warfare Expertise
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In 1966, Ermita served with the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3252/the-philippine-civic-action-group-during-the-vietnam-war-a-chronicle-of-humanitarian-service" class="news_link">Philippine Civic Action Group Vietnam (PHILCAG)</a>, one of the first Filipino contingents sent to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Unlike combat troops, PHILCAG conducted humanitarian and civic action missions, providing medical and dental services, building infrastructure, and assisting refugees in Tay Ninh province. Ermita fondly recalled that he and future President Fidel V. Ramos were among the first Filipino soldiers deployed to Vietnam, and noted that many who served with PHILCAG later became generals.
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Ermita openly admitted that he was "not battle scarred" but instead became renowned as a psychological warfare expert, leveraging his specialized training from Fort Bragg. This expertise in psychological operations and civil-military relations would become his signature contribution to the military, setting him apart from conventional combat officers and positioning him as an innovative thinker within the Armed Forces establishment.
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<h2>
Architect of Peace During the Bangsamoro Conflict
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Perhaps Ermita's most enduring legacy lies in his pioneering role in the Philippine peace process with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). In February 1984, he displayed extraordinary courage by venturing into the deep jungles of Basilan to reach one of the camps of the MNLF. As the first non-Muslim and the first military officer to undertake such a mission during a time of active armed conflict, Ermita met with some of the MNLF's fiercest warriors, including Gerry Salappudin, who served as Chair of the group's Basilan Revolutionary Committee.
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During this historic visit, Ermita informed the MNLF leadership about the national government's programs aimed at addressing the root causes of the decades-long armed conflict and helped advance peace negotiations between the Government of the Philippines and the MNLF. His efforts convinced several top MNLF commanders to return to the folds of the law, including Dimas Puntado, Abu Khayr Alonto, Talib Congo, and Ronnie Malaguiok.
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Ermita's peace work extended beyond field operations. He became part of the Philippine delegation monitoring ministerial meetings of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisation_of_Islamic_Cooperation" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Organization of Islamic Cooperation</a> (OIC) held in West Africa, Iran, Morocco, Sudan, Tripoli, Karachi, and other capital cities of OIC member-states. This diplomatic engagement affirmed the Philippine government's genuine interest in reaching a peaceful settlement with the MNLF and effectively opened doors for substantive peace negotiations. He served as part of the secretariat supporting the government panel who headed the negotiations that led to the signing of the 1976 Tripoli Agreement with the MNLF.
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When President <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/1022/today-in-philippine-history-on-march-18-1928-fidel-ramos-was-born-in-lingayen-pangasinan" class="news_link">Fidel V. Ramos</a> assumed office in 1992 and made national reconciliation and peace a cornerstone of his administration, Ermita became a vital figure in the National Unification Commission (NUC). In October 1992, President Ramos sent Ermita on a critical mission to Libya, leading a three-member delegation to conduct preparatory talks with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari. Ermita successfully convinced the rebel leader to resume negotiations with the Philippine government, with Misuari confiding in him the story of how he founded the MNLF and sharing the group's struggles and aspirations.
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These persistent efforts eventually paved the way for the signing of the historic 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the government and the MNLF. From 1992 to 1996, Ermita served as Vice Chairman of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) Panel in negotiations with the MNLF, playing a crucial role in bringing nearly 30 years of armed conflict to a close.
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<h2>
Defender of Democracy During Coup Attempts
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Ermita's commitment to constitutional democracy was tested during the tumultuous period of coup attempts against the Aquino administration. During the <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/2981/the-people-power-revolution-a-turning-point-in-philippine-history" class="news_link">1986 People Power Revolution</a> that ousted President <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/595/today-in-philippine-history-september-11-1917-ferdinand-e-marcos-was-born-in-sarrat-ilocos-norte" class="news_link">Ferdinand Marcos</a>, Ermita served as head of the Special Information Group, playing a key role during this pivotal moment in Philippine history.
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On August 28, 1987, when military rebels led by Colonel Gregorio Honasan launched a coup attempt against President Corazon Aquino, Ermita distinguished himself by leading the defense of the AFP General Headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo. As the head of the group defending GHQ, he ensured that rebel troops could not penetrate the facility despite exchanging gunfire throughout the day. When the rebels failed to enter, they set fire to the GHQ building, but Ermita's forces held the line.
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For his exceptional leadership during this crisis, Ermita received the Presidential Golden Heart Award - an honor he considered the most cherished achievement of his career in government service. He later served as Undersecretary of National Defense during the last major coup attempt in December 1989.
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Ermita capped his military career with the Presidential Legion of Honor, Degree of Commander, for his distinguished service as AFP Vice Chief of Staff and concurrently as AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for the period ending March 1988. He served as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1986 to 1988 during the series of coup attempts that challenged the Aquino administration.
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<h2>
Political Career in Batangas
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After retiring from military service, Ermita entered politics and served as a three-term congressman representing the 1st District of Batangas from 1992 to 2001. In this role, he defeated one of the most influential political families in the province, demonstrating his strong grassroots support and political acumen. He served as provincial chairman of the Lakas-CMD political party for Region IV and Batangas from 1992 to 2004.
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Throughout his congressional tenure, Ermita remained deeply involved in peace initiatives. As a congressional delegate to the National Unification Commission from 1992 to 1993, he continued his advocacy for resolving the country's internal armed conflicts through negotiation and dialogue.
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<h2>
Service in the Arroyo Administration
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When the Second EDSA Revolution brought President <a href="https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/2446/today-in-philippine-history-april-5-1947-maria-gloria-macaraeg-macapagal-was-born-in-lubao-pampanga" class="news_link">Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo</a> to power in January 2001, Ermita was immediately appointed as Acting Secretary of National Defense, serving from January to March 2001. He returned to the defense portfolio when President Arroyo appointed him as full Secretary of National Defense on October 3, 2003, following the resignation of Angelo Reyes. He served in this capacity until August 24, 2004.
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On August 24, 2004, President Arroyo appointed Ermita as Executive Secretary, a position often referred to as "the Little President" due to its extensive powers. In this role, Ermita became the most influential figure in President Arroyo's official family, serving as the chief presidential adviser and gatekeeper to the President. Despite being the "least talkative" before the media, he was perceived as the most influential in the President's close circle of advisers.
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Ermita served as Executive Secretary from 2004 to 2010, making him one of the longest-serving holders of this position. His tenure was marked by several significant events, including the declaration and subsequent lifting of the state of national emergency through Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 in February 2006. The proclamation, issued during the 20th anniversary of EDSA People Power I, cited alleged conspiracies to bring down the government, and Ermita signed both the proclamation and its subsequent revocation on March 3, 2006.
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During his time as Executive Secretary, Ermita also served concurrently as spokesperson for President Arroyo, handling critical government communications during challenging political periods. His military background, diplomatic skills, and reputation for integrity made him an essential stabilizing force in the Arroyo administration.
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<h2>
Recognition and Legacy
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In recognition of his lifetime dedication to peace, Ermita received the prestigious Gawad Kapayapaan Highest Distinction Award in September 2023 from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). During his acceptance speech, Ermita humbly dedicated the award to all those who have worked tirelessly to lay the foundations of peace in the Philippines, particularly those "working behind the scenes without recognition but with unwavering determination".
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"Peace is not a destination but a continuing endeavor that demands our vigilance, resoluteness and patience", Ermita emphasized during the ceremony. He underscored that peacebuilding "is not a walk in the park" but rather "a collective endeavor; a testament to the tireless efforts of many strong and resilient people who have faced adversity".
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Ermita authored his memoirs in a book titled <b class="lt-bold">Soldier Peacemaker: The Life and Work of Eduardo R. Ermita: A Memoir</b>, published in 2017. The 464-page volume chronicled his extraordinary journey from a gasoline boy in a small town in Batangas to one of the most respected figures in Philippine public service.
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Eduardo Ermita was Born on July 13, 1935: A Life of Service as Soldier, Statesman, and Peacemaker