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Sunday, July 23, 2006
New Army chief vows to remain loyal to chain of command, Constitution
LIEUTENANT General Romeo Tolentino on Saturday said he will keep the 75,000-strong Philippine Army loyal to the Constitution and to the chain of command in the wake of destabilization efforts as he formally took over as Army chief.
"We shall emphasize loyalty as adherence to the chain of command. I will never allow any other interpretation to this effect," Tolentino said to officers and men present in the changeover ceremony presided over by Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz.
Tolentino was referring to the rebel soldiers' justification of their break from the chain of command as part of their constitutional duty as protector of the state, the same provision invoked by military officers who took part in the last successful people power revolt in 2001.
Tolentino replaced Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon, who assumed as the Armed Forces chief last Friday. Prior to his appointment, Tolentino was the commander of the military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) based in Fort
Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
Tolentino vowed to act swiftly against coup plotters, hinting he would order their detention if they come to him. "If they (rebel soldiers) come to me, I will personally bring them to the police station and charge them with inciting to sedition," he said.
At least 25 Army officers, led by erstwhile First Scout Ranger Regiment commander Danilo Lim, took part in the failed plan to overthrow the Arroyo government in February. Lim was incarcerated before he could led his men in the execution of the plot.
In his relinquishment speech, Esperon boasted that despite the "very strong attempts" by anti-government forces to recruit soldiers, the Army did not break from the chain of command. He did not identify the people involved in the recruitment.
"Today, we have uncovered the plotters and their plans. They shall be made to answer for their adventurism. More importantly, we have gained back to our side those that they misled," Esperon said.
Esperon’s predecessor, General Generoso Senga, had ordered a pre-trial investigation preparatory to court martial and dismissal proceedings against 25 Army officers and 15 other Marine officers involved in the plot.
Cruz assured that the military justice system would be applied against the suspected coup plotters. “As we remain relentless in instilling professionalism in our organization, we shall also remain vigilant against those who intent to exploit our circumstances and weaken our organization," he said.
"An essential part of this effort will be to ensure that our military justice system is given the opportunity to work, as it has worked in the past, to cleanse the ranks of men and women in uniform," Cruz also said.
The military and police establishments have uncovered a plot, dubbed as “Operation Plan Trident” by the mutinous Magdalo Group to grab power on Monday when the President delivers her State of the Nation Address (Sona). (VR/Sunnex)
(July 23, 2006 issue)
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