Soldiers warned against campaigning for Trillanes

By Ronron
February 12, 2007

Military men were warned on Monday against campaigning for resigned Lt. Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV who is running for Senator this May under the opposition ticket even if the suspected mutineer has vowed to advance the interest of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) once he gets a seat in the Upper House of Congress.

In a news briefing, AFP Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said soldiers caught making overt acts of support for the former Navy officer may be charged for violation of Articles of War 96 or conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman.

“That (campaigning for Trillanes) would be falling under doing something which is partisan. So that will not be allowed...even if they (soldiers) are not wearing their uniforms, because whether they like it or not, they are part of the (military) organization,” Bacarro told reporters.

Bacarro disclosed that members of the AFP are split in their sentiments for Trillanes, although he said that the negative feedback is more overwhelming than the positive ones.

But he assured that the AFP leadership will not impose upon the soldiers whether or not they should vote for Trillanes, saying they respect their individual choices. Bacarro reiterated he is not going to vote for Trillanes even as he said he is not undermining the capabilities of the aspirant.

But should the Senatoriable win, Bacarro said he would be obliged to address Trillanes as “The Honorable.”

“He said he is going to fight for the rights and welfare of the soldiery. Maybe, we’ll wait if he wins. And if he will do that, then it’s good for the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Bacarro said.

But he reiterated that Trillanes will continue to face his criminal liabilities before the military tribunal and the civilian courts borne out of his leadership at the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003 even if he has filed his candidacy or if he wins.

“The (military) jurisdiction over the person of Trillanes has been established. So, he will be subjected to military provisions, including his detention, his desire to campaign… If we follow the provisions of his confinement, he cannot leave his detention facility (at the Bonifacio Naval Station in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City), ” Bacarro said.

Trillanes filed his candidacy last February 6, and was adopted by the Grand Opposition Coalition on Sunday as among its 12 senatorial candidates.

Among his legislative programs are a new AFP modernization bill, an amendment of the Constitutional provision on the promotion of AFP officers, and a bill to completely reorganize, re-train and re-indoctrinate the PNP./DMS