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Saturday, September 10, 2005
New SouthCom chief assumes post amid criticism
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo named a former Armed Forces deputy chief to lead the Southern Command, the largest military installation outside Manila, even as it drew criticism from senior officials who were surprised by the appointment.
Former military deputy chief Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, a 1972 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), assumed Friday as the new head of the Southern Command, replacing Lt. Gen. Alberto Braganza who retired Friday.
He vowed to intensify the hunt for terrorists in the troubled region.
"We will reorganize our forces, focus more on intelligence gathering, and intensify the campaign against terrorism in the southern Philippines," Adan said.
His assumption drew criticism from many senior military officers because the Armed Forces Board of Generals nominated Maj. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, commander of the 4th Infantry Division in northern Mindanao, to replace Braganza.
Most of Adan's previous postings were administrative and at one time he was named as PMA superintendent and as military spokesman.
Bagasin, a member of the PMA Class 1973, is a decorated veteran in the Mindanao anti-insurgency campaign and well respected by other generals, according to critics of Adan.
Bagasin also served as the Armed Forces deputy chief for operations in 2002 and later as commander of the 5th Infantry Division in Northern Luzon. He was behind the arrest of many communist insurgents and the capture of major camps of the New People's Army (NPA) in Mindanao.
Many senior military officials were reportedly disgusted over Adan's assumption because of the short time he would serve as commander of the Southern Command. Adan is due to retire in January 11 of next year.
"We have to follow orders, but what can General Adan do considering he has a very short time to command the troops in the southern Philippines, unlike General Bagasin," a senior official said.
Adan, a known supporter of Arroyo, said he himself was surprised when told Thursday to take over the Southern Command.
"My designation came as a surprise, a pleasant surprise because this is where I started my career 35 years ago," he told reporters. When asked why the sudden change, Adan said: "I cannot answer that. I only received my orders yesterday and I have to follow orders."
Adan's name was not even included in the Southern Command turnover ceremony program and invitation cards released Thursday by officials, bolstering suspicion by some security officials that Bagasin's nomination to replace Braganza was recalled on the prodding of politicians allied with Arroyo.
Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz who was supposed to attend the turnover ceremony also failed to show up for a still unknown reason and instead sent his deputy Ernesto Carolina.
Carolina did not give any statement about Adan's assumption, but Armed Forces Chief Generoso Senga told soldiers that Adan would be a good commander because of his previous stints as brigade chief.
Senga also warned soldiers to remain apolitical. "There are some who are convincing us to support their political agenda, but we should always uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. We will always remain apolitical," he said. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(September 10, 2005 issue)
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