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Saturday, October 30, 2004
Abu assumes military top post
By Jonathan F. Fernandez
* Arroyo orders new military chief to stamp out corruption
* Abu abolishes comptroller post
* Abaya named new BCDA head
PRESIDENT Arroyo on Friday ordered newly installed Armed Forces Chief Efren Abu to stamp out corruption in the military.
Lieutenant General Abu, in return, abolished the AFP comptrollership office or J6, a position formerly held by suspended Army Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was charged for violation of Articles of War for unexplained wealth.
The responsibilities of the comptroller office would be divided among the budget and logistic divisions.
Abu formally assumed the AFP chief post Friday, replacing Gen. Narciso Abaya who retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. Abu will occupy the post until he retires on June 24 next year.
Abu's former position as chief of the Philippine Army will be taken over by Maj. Gen. Generoso Senga.
The President told Abu to personally oversee court martial proceedings against Garcia.
Arroyo directed Abu "to make sure that the truth will come out and due process will be observed" in the Garcia case and in cases involving other military officers facing graft charges.
"The weight of promulgating military justice is now in the shoulders of the new chief of staff," said Arroyo in her speech during the turnover ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo Friday morning.
She appealed to the military officers not to get distracted by reports and statements that are aimed at destroying the credibility of the AFP.
Abu promised the President that he would not allow the AFP to be destroyed. He assured that people planning to topple the government will not succeed.
The military chief said he would continue what his predecessor had started and practice transparency.
Abu is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class '72.
Abaya, for his part, vented his ire on legislators who try to dishonor the military.
He said he felt hurt by recent attacks against the AFP, adding "it is a great insult to those who are more than willing to sacrifice their lives just to protect the Filipino people."
He chided the media for coming out with reports that aggravated the crisis hounding the military instead of helping to resolve it.
Abaya appealed to critics not to drag the entire military institution because the Armed Forces is doing everything it can to cleanse its rank of corrupt officials.
Meanwhile, Arroyo appointed Abaya to a government post right away.
Abaya is now chairman ofr the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). The President lauded Abaya for exemplary performance as head of the military for more than a year.
(October 30, 2004 issue)
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