Tuesday, February 26, 2008 No grumbling among soldiers: military chief
TOP military officials on Monday dismissed reports about grumbling or dissatisfaction within the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid the renewed calls by some groups for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over charges of corruption.
AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said while they have put on stand by a sizable number of troops and assets on standby for the anticipated rallies, they are not intended for military personnel who may take the wrong path.
Hundreds of fully-armed soldiers, backed up by a dozen of tanks, are massed in front of the AFP grandstand at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, ready to be dispatched on the streets in case violence erupts. The AFP is on a nationwide red alert status since last Sunday.
"We have been doing that even before. We have to maintain troops here because of threats, direct violent threats, from the Jemaah Islamiyah and the Abu Sayyaf Group and we also have reports that the rally would be infiltrated and this may be sabotaged, thus our precautionary," said Esperon.
Army Chief Alexander Yano said he has been making rounds on Army units for the past days, but has not monitored any grumblings from within the ranks of the Army. He was quick to clarify, however, that his visits are loyalty checks.
"In the last few days, I've been out visiting our units in at least three to four units in the Visayas and Mindanao and this is part of my rounds, not loyalty check but to remind our troops about their constitutional mandate, about their jobs in the light of what's going on in Metro Manila," said Yano.
"I have not felt, I have not monitored anything and I have no doubt that the Army soldiers are loyal not only to the Constitution but a very clear knowledge of what he is supposed to do under the present circumstances," the Army chief also said.
For his part, Air Force Chief Pedrito Cadungog said concerns within the Air Force are being attended by the leadership. On the alleged grumblings, he said Air Force commanders have already faced the media over the weekend to publicly say their allegiance to the chain of command.
"We would like to assure the public that there is no grumbling within the Air Force. There might be some concerns but these are being addressed. Everybody can go to me if they have problem. So I assure the public that there is no grumblings (in the Air Force)," he said.
Navy Chief Rogelio Calunsag said the presence of top Navy officials, including Marine Commandant Ben Dolorfino, in the "unity walk" last Monday proves that they are with the chain of command headed by President Arroyo.
"The Philippine Navy is composed of sailors and Marines and we are here with the commandant of the Philippine Marines and our Fleet commander and other commanders of the Philippine Navy are here. This shows that we are solid, united and supportive of the chain of command," said Calunsag. (VR/Sunnex)
