Ebdane formally takes over as Defense Secretary

By Ronron
February 1, 2007

Newly-appointed Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. was formally sworn into office Thursday by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in simple rites at Camp Aguinaldo.

Ebdane, who last served as Public Works and Highways Secretary, was given a warm welcome by the defense establishment by providing him with military honors at the Department of National Defense (DND) grounds. Joining him in trooping the line is Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.

"I am honored to be here, to be among the most hardworking and productive men and women who are risking life and limb to win the war against terror. I consider myself lucky to be coming in at this juncture at the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines with their rewards of hard work that are brining in major results in teh war against terror," said Ebdane, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (Class 1970), in a speech.

On his first day, Ebdane immediately discussed three issues that are presently hot in the defense organization.

On the military's role for the forthcoming May 14, 2007 national polls, Ebdane reiterated the military's isolation from politics, citing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the DND and the Commission on Elections signed in October last year.

"To ensure that every soldier knows exactly what is required of him during the election period, we will conduct seminars on election duties down to the platoon level," he said.

As regards the human rights and extra-judicial killings issue, while he directed for the conduct of seminars on human rights among members of the AFP, he said that a review of the investigations on the cases handled by the PNP's Task Force USIG should be done since most of the reports cited were borne out of deception by the cause oriented groups like Karapatan.

"This must be reviewed so as to get the proper picture and get the facts right. As a preventive measure, we will conduct seminars on human rights to make everybody aware of the obligations that go with the performance of their official duties," said Ebdane.

And finally, he vowed to pursue the modernization program of the AFP that was given a full steam by his predecessor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ebdane reminded the employees of the department and the members of the military establishment of the work ethic that he wants to be embraced by them. That is, to be responsible and accountable for all the actions they take.

"I bring me the experience of the soldier and a police officer, public servant and a peacekeeper. I ask only that everyone give the best, that we keep in mind that our authority comes with responsibility and accountability," he said.

Ebdane is the 31st Defense Secretary./DMS