Army leadership to remain vigilant against possible military adventurists even if no specific report is monitored

By Ronron
January 9, 2008

The Philippine Army leadership will remain on alert for possible military adventurism even if there is no specific report to such effect that is monitored.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano told reporters Wednesday in a news conference at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City that he has directed Army commanders not to tolerate military adventurism and deal with violators decisively.

“There is nothing specific as of yet but we are trying to be proactive. We do not need any specific report to be able to prepare,” Yano said.

Among the efforts being done is the strengthening of intelligence gathering for possible defection by disgruntled soldiers.

He said this effort was particularly strengthened by the November 29, 2007 incident in Makati City where some Magdalo officers and military rebels took over the Manila Peninsula Hotel and called for the downfall of the Arroyo government.

In the same news conference, Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, commander of the Army’s First Scout Rangers Regiment, said they will continue to monitor activities involving recruitment of their personnel.

It can be recalled that Scout Rangers personnel have been involved in previous adventurisms, the recent of which was the alleged attempted February 2006 coup plot, which involved no less than the Scout Rangers commander then, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

“For now, there is no recruitment activity. And even during the Manila Pen standoff, no one from our unit was involved. So that indicates the level of awareness of our soldiers now. Military adventurism is no longer in our minds,” Mapagu said in Filipino.

Army 7th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez echoed Mapagu’s statement as he assured that all his personnel are behind President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the military’s commander-in-chief, and are following the chain of command.

“We have inculcated in the minds of our people that we should put a stop to this (military adventurism) and we are happy to note that the whole of 7th ID were very supportive to the cause of this Republic,” Gomez said./DMS