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Friday, July 15, 2005
Military tells groups: Leave us out of crisis
By Stephen Capillas
THE Fourth Infantry Division spokesman appealed to officials and groups recruiting soldiers to join in ousting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or help in instituting a military junta to leave them alone.
Major Alexis Bravo issued the appeal during Thursday's Mobile Talakayan hosted by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) saying these groups and officials should "spare the military" from their overtures.
"Leave the military out of this (lobbying)," Bravo said amid reports some military groups are preparing their statements demanding that President Arroyo step down from her post.
The Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces (ISAFP) is also reportedly monitoring officials holding ranks from major down for any signs of dissension and groups from the Church, opposition and even media.
These groups or factions within the military are also debating on what position to take in the ongoing crisis even as Senator Rodolfo Biazon earlier warned that junior officers will go on mass leave unless allegations of electoral cheating and corruption are fully answered.
But during Thursday's forum Bravo reiterated the position by AFP Chief Gen. Efren Abu that the military maintains its neutral stance on the crisis now besetting President Arroyo.
"The military remains professional and loyal to the office of the President and so we are leaving it to the government officials to work out a solution to this problem," Bravo said, adding that their main concern now is the country's security.
Bravo cited in particular the threat issued by National Democratic Front (NDF) North Central Mindanao spokesman Jorge "Ka Oris" Madlos that communist rebels will step up their offensives against the soldiers as part of their contributions to ousting the President.
The 4th ID spokesman also explained that while they and their central headquarters are continually "assessing the situation" in Manila they are doing so from a security and not a political standpoint.
Outside of ensuring security, Bravo said all troops are ordered to abide by the "chain of command" and its current position on the political crisis.
"Political evaluations are beyond the (parameters) of the military...our loyalty to the President remains until legal and constitutional means provide for the transfer of power and then we shift our loyalties to the new President," Bravo said.
(July 15, 2005 issue)
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