Tuesday, February 26, 2008 In Cebu, dismal turnout in protest rallies
YESTERDAY’s commemoration of the 22nd Edsa People Power Revolution in Cebu was peaceful.
Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (CIIB) Chief George Ylanan said that like the previous mass actions, yesterday’s activity was peaceful.
Ylanan said the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan–led rally, which started at around 10 a.m., gathered about 500 people.
The group marched from Fuente Osmeña to Colon St., in front of Gaisano Metro.
The group then called for the ouster of President Arroyo over allegations of massive government corruption.
The Akbayan party-list, meanwhile, spoofed the Annual Academy Awards or the Oscars with “The Okrays.” The group awarded President Arroyo best corruptress, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo as best corruptor, and former elections chief Banjamin Abalos as best corruptioner on elections. They also gave CHED chairman Romulo Neri the missing link award. Akbayan also awarded Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye and Presidential Management Staff head Cerge Remonde as best bootlickers.
The Cebu City Police Office deployed two police platoons yesterday to secure protesters. The policemen were deployed to the Fuente Osmeña rotunda, Colon, and Malacañang sa Sugbo.
Ylanan’s team and CCPO deputy director for operations Pablo Labra II conducted roving patrols in different parts of the city to assess the situation and monitor activities of the rallyists.
Rumors
High-ranking officers of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) based in Cebu, meanwhile, denied rumors that some of them will defect to the opposition in support of another people power to topple the administration of President Arroyo.
“We would like to state that there is absolutely no truth to this rumor and the whole Philippine Air Force stands solidly behind the chain of command, from the commander-in-chief, secretary of national defense, Armed Forces chief of staff and the commanding general of the Air Force down,” said Maj. Gen. Nicomedes Corpuz, chief of the 2nd Air Division.
Corpuz was accompanied by Brig. Gen. Jaime Largo of the 220th Air Base Wing, Brig. Gen. Mario Butch Lacson of the Tactical Operations Wing and Col. Lauro dela Cruz of the 205th Helicopter Wing, all based at Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.
“We would like to inform the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and PAF will not participate in any unconstitutional or extra-legal action to change our government,” Corpuz read his prepared statement as he sat beside Largo, Lacson and dela Cruz.
Corpuz considers the disinformation campaign as a way of destabilizing the military to hasten the ousting of the Arroyo administration.
“Such disinformation will only benefit those who seek to undermine our unity and redirect us from our sworn duty to defend our country, a move that may end our democratic order,” Corpuz said.
Corpuz said that “the advice of Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog, PAF commanding general, is for all Air Force men to remain apolitical and to focus on serving our countrymen who depend on us for their safety, freedom and security.”
“As soldiers and professionals, we should remain loyal to the Constitution and commit to strengthening our democracy,” Corpuz said.
He said that there’s no need for a loyalty check because when soldiers enter service, they take their oath to defend the Constitution and the people.
He said the PAF and the AFP are constitutionally mandated to defend the state and prevent all attempts to destabilize and overthrow the government through violent means.
“The 1986 Edsa Revolution has redirected us to the pathway of good life and its spirit calls for all of us to strengthen democracy,” Corpuz said.
Lacson theorized that the destabilizers have targeted first the Air Force because it can deliver equipment more than the ground force.
Chain of command
“Our men are following and are adherent to the chain of command and it is through this that we can preserve democracy,” Lacson said.
Dela Cruz, on the other hand, said that while there are problems with soldiers like their benefits, these are negligible and can be solved instantly.
Largo said they coordinate with other PAF units every now and then, and there is no indication that some soldiers in the field can be used by the opposition groups.
“We are confident that no soldier will defect to the anti-government groups,” Largo said. (JST/EOB)
