Tuesday, February 26, 2008 Military, police officials hold 'unity walk'
TOP military and police officials renewed their allegiance to the chain of command and to the Constitution after a "unity walk" from the People Power Monument -- where they attended the Edsa I People Power revolt anniversary celebrations -- to Camp Aguinaldo last Monday.
"It is not a show of force," Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said of the unity walk, which was also attended by at least 100 officers and men from both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), including PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr.
"We are sincerely joining the whole nation in celebration of the spirit of Edsa (I). This is also, to be candid about it, to dispel rumors, this information that some of us have planned or have indeed joined destabilization efforts," Esperon said in a joint press conference at the AFP Golf Club at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
With their arms linked to each other, the military and police officers marched from the nearby People Power Monument after the commemoration of the Edsa I anniversary, which was attended by top government officials, including Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
"So now, you see the service commanders, the unified commanders joining hands with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for a solid chain of command. This is meant to calm the people especially those who are here in Metro Manila," said Esperon.
The unity walk took place hours before various groups, including from the political opposition, were able to gather at the same People Power Monument to protest the rampant corruption in government and to demand the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
"Today, we join in spirit and shoulder to shoulder with the Philippine National Police. As the Armed Forces of the Philippines joins the whole nation in commemorating the spirit of Edsa, we assure the Filipino nation of our unequivocal allegiance to our Flag and Constitution and we give our word not to engage in any partisan political exercise," said Esperon.
"We, your soldiers, will remain steadfast in our adherence to the chain of command in our pursuit to safeguard democracy," he added.
He stressed that the military will never intervene in the political crisis, caused by the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corporation. Prime witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. said the deal is tainted with corruption.
"It has been proven time and again that the more the military intervenes, the more that democratic institutions weaken," he said.
For his part, Razon vowed that the police force will remain steadfast in its mandate in upholding democracy that the Filipino people regained through Edsa I "and in protecting the freedom and civil liberties that our people now enjoy."
"We in the PNP will not get ourselves involved in politics, much less in political intervention in the affairs of the state. Ours is the exclusive mandate to serve and protect the people. As such, what is expected of us is to enforce the law without fear or favor, and ensure the safety of the public at all times," he also said.
"The PNP will be at Edsa to ensure that the people will be able to celebrate the occasion peacefully and without fear of crime and lawlessness. Anything outside of that task is already beyond our mandate," he added.
He also reiterated the PNP's loyalty to the chain of the command. President Arroyo is at the top of the chain of command of both the AFP and the PNP, she being the Commander-in-Chief of the soldiers and policemen.
"The PNP remains united and loyal behind the Constitution and the duly constituted authorities. Our chain of command is inviolable and respected by all personnel," he said. (VR/Sunnex)
