Noynoy camp conducting AFP loyalty check—DND chief
By Mario J. Mallari 06/11/2010 Acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales yesterday revealed that there are ongoing loyalty checks within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), apparently coming from the camp of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. In his speech during the turn-over ceremonies for the retirement of AFP deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral Emilio Marayag at Camp Aguinaldo, Gonzales also noted Aquino’s reaction to his announcement that he will be joining the ranks of the opposition during the Aquino administration. “I heard there are ongoing loyalty checks within the Armed Forces. You might be blacklisted because of me,”said Gonzales to the troops, noting Aquino’s statements regarding his (Gonzales) plan to become an opposition figure. “We were given special mention last Wednesday to the effect that I will be a critic of the incoming President. He (Aquino) said that he has not even started his duties in Malacañang yet I am already planning something, which is why he said I am no longer honorable. (AFP Chief of Staff) Gen. (Delfin) Bangit and I have not been planning anything, but it looks like I and General Bangit have gotten the ire of the President-elect. So please, General Bangit, don’t be too sad. You are not alone. We are together,” said Gonzales. The acting defense chief reminded AFP officers and soldiers not to “backstab” each other when subjected to a loyalty check. “I want to remind you always to remember not to be tempted into dividing the military. The future of the country and the AFP rests on the military being united. If you will be subjected to a loyalty check, just don’t destroy each other by backstabbing your fellow officers. Defend each other. Defend the institution. Show your loyalty and duty to the institution,” said Gonzales. Immediately after his proclamation, Aquino announced he will not retain Bangit as chief of the 120,000-strong military organization. Aquino, in an interview with reporters at his residence, did not hide his displeasure in the statements issued by Bangit the past few days, telling the camp of the incoming Chief Executive to “treat the military organization with honor and dignity.” “I will let him be for the meantime but I hope he will keep this in mind, that it’s not yet my responsibility. But after this (incident), I will allow him time to absorb the situation. From what I heard in the news, it’s not okay with me to forget the fact that civilian supremacy (prevails in this country),” said Aquino. The incoming President also lashed back at Bangit, raising several that hounded the latter’s appointment to the AFP such as that of bypassing several senior officials and timing of appointment. “For instance, let’s go back to the appointment of Bangit. He was appointed one day before the (election) ban. But the first day of the ban was the birthday of (retired AFP Chief Victor) Ibrado, so the vacancy happened Mar. 10. He was appointed Mar. 9. You don’t appoint somebody to a post that’s not vacant, that’s fundamental. “Now what Bangit (is saying is that he) always professed to following the Constitution and that is embodied in the Constitution and our laws,” Aquino pointed out. “There are also issues, persecution of a particular class. What about the classes that were senior to them, never got that opportunity? What about the others who don’t belong to their class? It’s one class out of so many classes. The generals, they are in positions of power and privilege,” he said, obviously referring to Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class 77 which had earned the reputation of being the favored batch of President Arroyo.... MORE Source: The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100611hed1.html |
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