By Ronron
January 27, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Sunday he took the decision of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to extend his term as an “order” that any soldier must follow amidst some personal inconveniences.
In a radio interview, Esperon said he will just listen, respect and study the criticisms on his extension, rather than allowing those to “prevent me from doing my job.”
“I consider this not just as an order but I also take it as an honor to be able to continue serving for three more months as chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Esperon said in Filipino.
Esperon is supposed to retire on February 9 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56. But Arroyo extended his term until May 9 to allow the AFP to sustain the momentum in its fight against communist insurgency and terrorist groups in the country.
Esperon said that while there were feelers about his extension before, he only got the official announcement on Saturday morning from Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita right after Arroyo disclosed it to reporters who accompanied her in Davos, Switzerland.
The military chief simply shrugged off comments of those opposed to his extension, saying he also had to go through personal sacrifices for this.
He disclosed that his siblings from the United States had already spent a lot by coming home just to attend his supposed retirement honors on February 9, and his plans after retirement are temporarily put on hold because of his extension.
Besides, Esperon said he sees no doctrine that was violated because of his extension because it merely falls within the prerogative of the President to do such.
As to comments that he remains answerable for the alleged electoral fraud in 2004 after his name was mentioned in the so-called “Hello Garci” tapes, Esperon reiterated yesterday his innocence to the allegation.
He said that during the 2004 President elections, even if he was the Deputy Chief for Operations of the AFP and the concurrent deputy commander of the military’s Task Force HOPE (Honest, Orderly and Peaceful Elections), he has no power to remove a brigade commander from his post, as implied in the taped conversation.
In the “Hello Garci” tape, Esperon’s name was mentioned purportedly by then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano as having ordered the relief of a brigade commander in Lanao because of the latter’s alleged bias for then Presidential candidate Fernando Poe, Jr., the closest rival then of Arroyo.
“That brigade commander was never relieved from his post. He was just called here in Manila because of an investigation on a shooting incident in the area of his responsibility on the night of the election where a young lady was killed. It is not my job to remove a brigade commander. So what irregularity are they talking about that I have done?” Esperon said.
Esperon said he does not believe also that the entire Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is opposed to his extension, pointing out that just last Saturday night, 13 bishops he had dinner with had a nice exchange of ideas with him.
As to the delay in the rise of other military generals in the AFP hierarchy because of his extension, Esperon is of the impression that this is never an issue within the organization.
Instead of their professional advancement, the other generals, he said, are more focused on the mission of the AFP.
“Let us not say that the younger generals are complaining about losing the chance to become chief of staff. They are not like that. They are more focused on our mission, and not on personal advancement,” Esperon said.
Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, who was named by Arroyo as Esperon’s successor, has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr., spokesman of the Philippine Army, said yesterday that they are holding off their comment yet on the matter because they are still awaiting the official communication from Malacañang.
“It may be presumptuous to comment on it at the moment. We will issue a statement accordingly,” Torres said.
But Esperon said it is good that Arroyo named his successor already because this gives him and Yano the chance to work together within his three-month extension for a smooth transition.
Esperon even expressed confidence on Yano’s capability to lead the 120,000-strong AFP and accomplish their mission.
He said that among his specific targets within the three-month period is the dismantling of at least 15 guerilla fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army, and the decimation of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jeemah Islamiyah (JI), particularly neutralizing the high-value targets.
“That is our priority because the Abu Sayyaf have no place in this world… We should not stop running after them. So, within three months, within my extension of three months, that is one aspect that I will really give emphasis on, focus on,” Esperon said.
At the same time, he said he will ensure that there will no more be a repeat of military adventurism. Although, at this time, he is confident that the entire force is loyal to the chain of command as shown by the failure of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim to muster support from the uniformed service last November 29, 2007 in Makati City.
Esperon said he hopes the people will support him and do their share in supporting the military’s drive against communist insurgency and the terrorist groups.
“Now that I was given a three month extension, more than ever, I am asking for your help not just for me as leader of the Armed Forces, but also for every member and unit of the Armed Forces. Be assured that topmost in our mission is to ensure your security and that we will not grab power from higher authorities,” he addressed the public./DMS
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