Defense chief assures AFP loyalty to Arroyo

By Ronron
October 18, 2007

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. assured on Thursday the loyalty of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amid allegations that Malacañang are offering bribes to local officials purportedly to dissuade them from supporting impeachment moves against the chief executive.

Interviewed in Cebu, Teodoro said: “I can say categorically that the Armed Forces is solid and united behind the chain of command.”

“She (Arroyo) is the duly constituted President of the Republic and the Armed Forces will stand behind the duly constituted authority, stand behind the President,” he added.

Teodoro said he does not even have to give any piece of advice to government troops about staying loyal to their commander-in-chief. “They know their duties, I don’t need to remind them about it,” he said.

Philippine Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino had earlier admitted that the bribery allegations against Malacañang is affecting the soldiers “in one way or another” but not seriously that it could translate to adventurist actions.

“Political issues like this will not affect their duties and responsibilities,” the Defense Secretary echoed Dolorfino’s view.

“The Armed Forces is focused on its task, which is to counter the ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) and the CPP/NPA/NDF (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front), plus the reforms in the Armed Forces. Political issues are not the focus of the AFP,” he continued.

The military has admitted being a target of destabilization efforts against the government because an armed component is required to effect a successful regime change, as it did in the 1986 and 2001 bloodless revolts.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already tasked the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to look into the giving of cash gifts at Malacañang last week to some governors, congressmen and other local executives after receiving criticisms from the opposition, religious groups and other sectors./DMS