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Thursday, July 13, 2006
Army head is new military chief
Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. on Wednesday announced the appointment of Army Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as Armed Forces new chief of staff vice General Generoro Senga who will retire July 21.
Cruz said Lieutenant General Esperon, former Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from Jan. 12, 2002 to Feb. 21, 2003, would assume the post the minute Senga steps down.
He also announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Romeo Tolentino, commander of the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) as new Army chief.
Senga, in an ambush interview at the PSG turnover ceremony at the PSG Park, said Tolentino would be replaced by Major General Bonficaio Ramos, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) based in Camp Vicente Lucban in Catbalogan, Samar.
Senga, Esperon and Cruz witnessed the exchange of command from PSG Chief Delfin Bangit to new commander, Colonel Romeo Prestoza, deputy commander of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp). Bangit was promoted to assistant division commander of the Army’s 2nd ID in Tanay.
Cruz said Bangit’s new assignment had nothing to do with the transfer of Brigadier General Danilo Lim to Tanay as it is part of his career path and eventually in preparation for a higher position in the AFP.
He also defended the appointment of Esperon, particularly following questions as to his credibility prompted by the “Hello Garci” wiretapping tapes wherein he was among the generals mentioned as supposedly involved in irregularities in the 2004 elections.
Cruz said Esperon has a good track record, he is very qualified for the post and he has “the track record to be able to conduct the campaign in such a way that we can defeat the insurgency in the timetable that has been set as an internal goal in the DND (Department of National Defense) and AFP.”
He added that it is a judgment call of the President on whom she thinks would best lead the AFP as many of the contenders are qualified and meets the criteria of having a good track record, being a professional, and having the competence to implement the Philippine Defense Reform Program and ensure that the campaign against internal security threats would be accomplished within the term of Arroyo.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, for his part, said aside from being the prerogative of the President to appoint anyone she wants for a particular post, Esperon’s expertise and experience also speaks for itself.
“He is a highly qualified officer, tested in combat, tested in addressing the destabilizers and steady as a senior officer, steady in his demeanor and making decisions to be able to control the AFP and of course his loyalty to the republic, his loyalty to Constitution and to the Commander-in-chief is beyond question,” Ermita said.
Ermita and Cruz said the marching orders on Esperon include solving the insurgency problems and applying “the usual vigor and unity of the Armed Forces as a tool of government in neutralizing all the detractors that will destabilize the national security situation”.
Ermita added that Esperon should focus more on implementing the Philippine Defense Reform Program; upgrading the mission capability and professionalism of AFP under the AFP multiyear capability upgrade plan, support the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and improve military capabilities as part of the counter-terrorism program.
He also shrugged off Esperon’s problem with the Commission on Appointments (CA), which failed to confirm his promotion to lieutenant general. He said Esperon is not the only one who had problems with the CA.
Cruz expressed confidence that Esperon would be welcomed and supported by the rank and file in AFP as they are all professionals and they know that their incoming commander has a good track record.
Esperon, in an ambush interview at the PSG Park, said he had an inkling that he would get the top AFP post two nights ago after they had dinner with the President in Malacañang.
He said he is not affected by criticisms against him, particularly by some politicians and would just focus on ensuring a “steady AFP” that remains loyal and strictly follows the chain of command.
“I must thank all of those who continue to support me especially the AFP CS (chiefs of staff), my fellow service commanders, and soldiers, junior officers and my contemporaries. I must say that I am taking over at a very critical time when orders have just been given to finally defeat the communist terrorists,” he said.
Cruz said he is planning to make a recommendation to the President about the possible appointment of Senga to any senior ranking government post as the administration could make use of his talents and experience.
He said it would be a shame if Senga’s expertise would not be utilized by government in a “very positive and helpful way”.
Cruz said Senga plans to rest for a while after he steps down on July 21 after reaching the mandatory age requirement for those in the uniformed service. (JMR/Sunnex)
(July 13, 2006 issue)
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