By Ronron
June 10, 2005
Army officer Col. Ricardo Morales was sacked from his post as commander of the 404th Infantry Brigade, based in Mindanao, for issuing “irresponsible statements” against a recreation project intended for the military and subsequently calling for a “coup” in protest of it.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan said AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Efren Abu approved the relief of Morales after it was recommended by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga.
“Col. Morales published very critical article in the internet criticizing the policies and project of the (AFP)… As a responsible officer, he should have been aware that such message could reach the public, be misconstrued and subjected to a lot of misinterpretation,” Adan said.
In an e-mail message sent a few days ago to his fellow graduates from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Morales lambasted the construction of a resort house for the military in Boracay Island as he questioned the priorities of the higher-ups in the military in terms of addressing the needs of the ordinary soldiers.
“How can the 60-room resort in Boracay improve the AFP’s capability to fight? Who determined this priority? We have hospitals without medicine,” Morales, a member of the PMA class 1977, wrote.
“That the top leaders in the AFP, especially the Marine officer who commands two Army Divisions allowed this to happen shows their insensitivity to the needs and sufferings of the men in the field,” he added.
The project in Boracay was a brainchild of AFP Central Command chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio. In earlier interviews, Teodosio and other AFP officials emphasized the project is not an initiative of the military, but of a non-governmental organization.
“Enough of the leaders who talk about reforms but do not understand what they are saying. Enough of this organization stupidity… The time for talking is over. The time for action is now… The next coup will be peaceful and open,” Morales had said.
Adan said it was wrong for Morales to air his opinion, even if it is personal, in the internet because a website is a public domain.
Although it can not be interpreted as instigating rising up of arms against the AFP leadership, Abu, for his part, said it is still improper for Morales to talk about “coup,” whether he wanted it to be “peaceful and open” or not, because he is an officer.
Abu noted though that no sympathetic comments followed that statement of Morales in the e-group, which can be accessed by more than 600 PMA alumni and friends.
“As far as the Armed Forces is concerned, I don’t see it has any effect on our soldiers. If any, it could only be on people close to him, maybe his driver or security staff. I doubt if people like you will be encouraged by his statements,” Abu told reporters.
Adan said Morales was given the chance to explain his motives for doing so. Morales sent his explanation letter dated June 7 to Senga. However, his superiors did not find it satisfactory.
“Col. Morales was admonished by (Senga)… The AFP has established mechanisms for grievances, for getting feedback for policies by the leadership. Col. Morales did not avail of them,” said Adan.
“He is being relieved for his lack of good judgement and indiscretion as a senior officer who should set a good example to his officers and men,” added Adan.
The relief of Morales, Adan said, is without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges against him in the military court. At the moment, the military is still checking what charges could be filed against Morales.
Adan said Morales will be given an assignment appropriate to his rank by the Philippine Army.
Following what happened to Morales, Abu, however, said it is not necessary to check or monitor other e-mail groups of active military members since any similar report can readily be received by him.
Besides, he expressed confidence that the Armed Forces is intact even amidst fresh talks of destabilization against the government.
“We are not monitoring any active member of the AFP now. It is not necessary because there is no threat from those in the active service… We are confident that in any destabilization plots, we are prepared to protect our countrymen and our government offices and our country. So we have nothing to worry about,” Abu said./DMS
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