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Saturday, October 30, 2004
Abu assumes military top post
By Jonathan F. Fernandez
MANILA -- 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 Armed Forces comptrollership office or J-6, 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 between the budget and logistic divisions.
Abu formally assumed the military top 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 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 military.
Abu promised Arroyo he would not allow the military to be destroyed. He assured that people planning to topple the government would not succeed.
The military chief said he would continue what his predecessor started and practice transparency.
Abu is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class '72.
Also on Friday, outgoing military chief Abaya vented his ire on legislators who try to dishonor the military.
He said he felt hurt by recent attacks against the Armed Forces, adding "it is a great insult to those who are more than willing to sacrifice their lives just to protect the Filipino people."
Abaya chided the media for coming out with reports that aggravated the crisis hounding the military instead of helping to resolve it.
He 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.
The former military chief was appointed to a government post right away.
Abaya is now chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). Arroyo praised him for exemplary performance as head of the military for more than a year.
(October 30, 2004 issue)
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