FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO -- Philippine Army chief Hermogenes Esperon yesterday reminded soldiers that being a protector of the people is not license to wrest the leadership from government on the basis of perceived imperfections in governance.

At the same time Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz urged the Armed Forces leadership to be firm but fair in the prosecution of military officers involved in the foiled coup attempt.

"The AFP must ensure that there will be no whitewash or witch hunt, and there must be no sacred cows in our organization nor will there be sacrificial lambs", Cruz said.

Fifty-nine military officers, including Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, relieved Scout Ranger Regiment commander, and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, a recipient of the much-coveted Medal of Valor, are now being investigated by the AFP Inspector General's Office for link in the failed coup try.

"The Defense department and the AFP will oppose any move to grant amnesty to those who have violated their oath to defend the Constitution and adhere to the chain of command," Cruz said.

On the other hand, Esperon said professional soldiers do not enjoy an unrestrained license to engage in partisan politics or publicly speak their minds against the government as compared to their civilian counterparts.

"We are not to be regarded as a potent political force to be used by politicians in the furtherance of their vested interests," Esperon added.

He admitted that "shadowy" individuals and groups are still trying to sow intrigue and discord among military officers and raise skepticisms over the loyalty of soldiers to the chain of command. However, he also said, majority of the officers and men continue without failure, discharging their constitutionally mandated tasks.

Rather than being held hostage by these problems and predicaments, they are taken as opportunities and busied ourselves instead with the primary tasks of organizing, equipping and training the Philippine Army, he added.

On March 28, Esperon will lead the groundbreaking of the "Kalinga sa Kawal" housing program at Camp Macario Peralta, a military reservation camp in Jamindan, Capiz, a portion of which is being occupied by the Army's 3rd Infantry Division headed by Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Crucero, and AFP transient facilities in Iloilo.

The Kalinga sa Kawal housing program, a collaboration between the Philippine Army and the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Inc. aims at providing a better quality of life, comfort and security to soldiers and their families.

Esperon also said they are now implementing the battalion retraining program, strengthening the infantry rifle squads, improving health services, enhancing feedback mechanism and promotion of Army's relevance in the community.

He also reported that 1,091 pieces of combat life saving kits have been distributed to various front line units and that they have established two blood bank refrigerators in Jolo and Samar.

Meanwhile, broadcaster-turned Army reservist, MSgt. Mike Tuba, of the Negros Occidental Ready Reserve Battalion, was among the awardees honored by the Philippine Army at its 109th founding anniversary here yesterday.*GPB

back to top