Saturday, December 16, 2006 Mayor urges soldiers to remain apolitical
MAYOR Rodrigo Duterte urged the military to never get involved in destabilizations moves against the government, not even in the prayer rally planned for Sunday in Metro Manila.
And certainly not in the mobilization that will be conducted simultaneously in different regions to protest government's Charter change agenda.
"Soldiers should be neutral and apolitical. All you need to do is to focus your attention on what you're supposed to do. Your mandate is to keep the peace in this land and to provide security for the people," said Duterte who also acts as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's consultant on public order and safety.
Duterte issued this statement following the open invitation of the CBCP for those who are in the military to join the gathering on Sunday saying that the soldiers have the duty to serve the people and protect the constitution.
Duterte, however, said the issue on whether not to amend the Constitution is not the business of the military.
"Never tinker with politics or listen to the opportunings of politicians which sometimes can be destructive for the nation. Don't get involved," Duterte said.
Move forward
House majority floor leader and Davao City Representative Prospero Nograles, meanwhile, said the country should now start moving forward, away from the memories of constituent assembly.
"As we archived in the tomb of forgotten memories today the con ass resolution, the opposition has lost its cause to do battle in the streets and it is time to stop this divisiveness, roll up our sleeves and get back to work," Nograles said.
"No more necrological speeches on Con-ass. Personally, I am sorry for all the traffic jams Con-ass has caused the public in Metro Manila," Nograles added.
Dead Con-ass
Duterte said the military doesn't have to act on any of the issues confronting the government and the Filipino people because any military intervention is not needed.
"They don't have to demonstrate. What Con-ass? It is already dead. How many times do we have to tell them that?" Duterte said.
"Sabay-sabay na tayong mag-move kung kinakailangan na (Let us act together when it is already required and needed by the time). Until such time, stay put," he added.
Deception
But Jeppie Ramada, coordinator of Bayan Muna-Southern Mindanao, said the people should not stop or be deceived by the trickery now being employed by the government who is really hell bent on changing the Constitution in their bid to stay in power.
"We should be very watchful. They might have junked the constituent assembly but they will try to push for the changing of the Constitution in so many ways that will serve them best. Letting our guards down could mean allowing them to manipulate the constitution," Ramada said.
"And so the people will continue to storm the streets until the government will give up on it (changing the Constitution)," Ramada said.
Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Laywers Network (BLN) condemned the continued attempts of the government to change the Constitution even resorting to maneuverings and moves that clearly endangered the Constitution itself.
"While the BLN is not totally against amending the charter, especially if it will resolve the Mindanao conflict and bring peace to this war-torn area of the Bangsamoro, it is totally against any move that defrauds the people and is motivated by nothing but self-interest," said lawyer Zen Malang, director of the Bangsamoro Center for Law and Policy.
Malang said that their call to protect the Constitution doesn't mean their group does not want the Constitution changed. He said they just do not want it to be "instrumental" in keeping some people in power.
"All attempts to change the Constitution that springs from self-interest should be opposed," Malang added. (JMT)
