Voltaire Gazmin

Voltaire T. Gazmin
Gazmin in 2013 portrait
26th Secretary of National Defense
In office June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2016
President	Benigno S. Aquino III
Preceded by	Norberto Gonzales
Succeeded by	Delfin Lorenzana
Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia
In office May 1, 2002 – June 30, 2004
President	Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Commanding General of the Philippine Army
In office July 13, 1999 – October 22, 2000
President	Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Preceded by	Lt. Gen. Angelo T. Reyes
Succeeded by	Lt. Gen. Diomedio P. Villanueva
Commander AFP Special Operations Command
In office 1997–1999
President	Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Preceded by	Job Mayo
Succeeded by	Dionisio Santiago
Commander of Philippine Presidential Security Group
In office March 1, 1986 – June 29, 1992
President	Corazon Aquino
Preceded by	Fabian Ver
Succeeded by	Ismael Z. Villareal
Personal details
Born	Voltaire Tuvera Gazmin (1944-10-22) October 22, 1944 (age 79) Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines
Spouse	Rhodora H. Gazmin
Alma mater	Philippine Military Academy
Profession	Soldier
Signature
Website	http://www.dnd.gov.ph
Military service
Allegiance	Republic of the Philippines
Branch/service	Philippine Army
Years of service	1968-2000
Rank	Lieutenant General

Voltaire Tuvera Gazmin (born 22 October 1944 in Moncada, Tarlac) is a retired Filipino soldier who was the 35th Secretary of the Department of National Defense of the Philippines. Gazmin assumed office on 1 July 2010, after President Benigno S. Aquino III had issued the former's appointment the day before.^[1][2]

Gazmin emerged from a nearly six-year hiatus from public office after last serving as the Philippine Ambassador to Cambodia from 2002 to 2004.^[3] For nearly 32 years, he was a career officer in the Philippine Army, retiring as a Lieutenant General and after serving as the 40th Commanding General of the Philippine Army until 2000.

He first gained national prominence in 1986 as the loyal and disciplinarian Commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), defiantly defending the government of President Corazon C. Aquino from seven 'coup attempts during her six-year term. Gazmin was honored multiple times in his military career for his skills in intelligence gathering and effectively commanding troops in some of the most difficult operations and for a long-term vision in administrative matters. His disciplinary demeanour has earned him the respect of his peers and junior officers and staff as a military officer and as a civilian.