Ebdane adapted as honorary Scout Rangers

By Ronron
March 15, 2007

Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan - Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. was adapted as an honorary member of the First Scout Rangers Regiment (FSRR) during his visit here yesterday (Thursday).

FSRR commander Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu said Ebdane deserves to be recognized as an honorary member of the elite unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), which is under the operational control of the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), because he also used to conduct special operations while he was still an active officer of the former Philippine Constabulary.

Ebdane’s visit at the FSRR camp here was preceded by similar troop visits to Sulu, Davao City and Zamboanga City a few weeks back, in the company of AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.

Asked if yesterday’s visit is in any way connected with the upcoming elections, particularly to woo soldiers to support the administration bets, Mapagu said: “No, none at all because in fact, they already visited other units (prior to yesterday’s). They started with major units like the unified commands. Now he’s going down.”

Mapagu said Ebdane “really wants to feel the pulse from the ground,” which, for him, “is good so one can see what the troops in the frontlines really need.”

“It’s a good indication of their continuing support to the troops,” Mapagu said.

Ebdane was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the 2004 election, which was marred of allegations of fraud in favor of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. An alleged wiretapped conversation of Arroyo and then elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano mentioned Ebdane’s name, implying his alleged participation in the manipulation of the conduct of election and its results.

The alleged electoral fraud was among the issues brought up by disgruntled military officers and men that led them allegedly to almost rise up against the government in February 2006.

Those government troops come from the FSRR, particularly no less than its commander then Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and the Philippine Marine Corps. Twenty-eight of them are now about to start court martial proceedings.

Asked if there is a need for Ebdane to conduct loyalty check among the current FSRR members, Mapagu said: “No, no. Absolutely, no need.”

He pointed out that in fact, only a few from the FSRR defected the chain of command during the alleged February 24, 2006 coup plot. And these are the few who have to “go through” the “military justice system” because they were charged.

“At least, they are being given their day in court,” Mapagu said of the 19 accused FSRR members led by Lim who are now charged before a military tribunal.

The AFP leadership has long reminded officers and soldiers not to engage in partisan politics to avoid a repeat of its being dragged in electoral fraud allegations. A memorandum of agreement between the Defense Department and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) signed last October 12, 2006 has also limited the AFP’s role in the upcoming mid-term elections for the same purpose.

During his visit yesterday, Ebdane formally opened some new projects inside the camp that are expected to benefit the FSRR members.

He first launched the FSRR potable water system project, followed by a mahogany tree-planting activity nearby, the blessing of a new barracks for Military Policemen that could accommodate at least 60 personnel, a visit to the housing units of FSRR members, and inauguration of the planning bay where Scout Rangers on schooling could train and develop their skills on planning an operation.

In his speech during a brief program after the above activities, Ebdane said: “Every day, you of the FSRR risk life and limb to secure the peace and secure the future. Every day, you of the FSRR are at the frontlines, securing the peace, keeping our communities safe. My job as your DND Secretary is to make sure that you have the means and the mindset to get the job done.”

Aside from the projects he launched, Ebdane bragged to the FSRR men the availability of free legal assistance for company-grade officers and enlisted personnel of the AFP who are facing service-connected charges.

“This program is being done in cooperation with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to give our soldiers the basic legal assistance needed for a fair trial and due process,” Ebdane said.

He said the department is also expecting the deliveries in the next few months of the new equipment and weaponry under the Modernization Program of the AFP.

“With this influx of new equipment and systems, we will be in a better position to strike fast and hit the targets set by President Arroyo of making the communist movement irrelevant, eradication terrorist groups, and containing the secessionist movement by 2010,” Ebdane said.

And he assured that the FSRR special operations “will come in handy as we expand the reach of our efforts to win the hearts and minds (of the populace) by being partners for progress in more barangays.”

The FSRR is being used by the government in its fight against communist insurgency in Luzon and Moslem extremist groups in Mindanao.

Ebdane said that to go with the military offensive of the FSRR is the “revitalization” of the AFP’s Civil Military Operations, “beginning with stronger presence in Peace and Order Councils.”

“We will enable a secure environment for development to take root. Our might and our network must be applied jointly with all concerned agencies and sectors to eradicate threats and enable progress across the land,” he said./DMS