By Ronron
February 26, 2008
The Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), which is comprised of active and retired officers of the military and police, is urging men in uniform not to intervene in the current political noise, instead they should join the calls in seeking for the truth behind the allegation of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr.
"AGFO is appealing to all military and other law enforcement personnel, as well as to every Filipino in all sectors of society, to exercise restraint, observe sobriety and circumspection in addressing the present political situation," AGFO President and Chairman retired Brig. Gen. Jaime Echeverria said in an interview Tuesday at Camp
Aguinaldo.
"AGFO supports the on-going quest for truth and justice… In resolving existing political issues, due process, the rule of law and full transparency and accountability in all government transactions… shall be adhered to," he added.
Echeverria, who participated in coup plots during the Aquino administration and was a security officer of the late Presidentiable Fernando Poe, Jr., said some key leaders of AGFP held a special meeting yesterday morning to discuss the current situation, which they consider "serious."
Lozada had testified that the now-cancelled $329-million National Broadband Network project, which was awarded to China's ZTE Corporation, was rigged with anomaly.
A former consultant to the project, Lozada alleged that the former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos sought a $130 million kickback after brokering for ZTE Corporation.
He implied that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo knew of the alleged act of Abalos, but tolerated it.
Former NEDA Secretary Romulo Neri also alleged that Abalos promised him P200 million if he made sure that the project is given a go-signal in favor of ZTE Corporation.
But when told about it, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allegedly just told him to proceed with the project without accepting the alleged amount.
Calls for Arroyo's resignation have snowballed this month, the last to do it was former President Corazon Aquino yesterday.
Asked if AGFO supports these calls, Echeverria just said: "We are not saying we'll support or will not support. We do not get involve in such personal calls. We go for issues."
In directing those in the uniformed service not to intervene in the political turmoil, Echeverria echoed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr.'s statement that soldiers and policemen should not be distracted from their focus on their mission and duties.
"In the midst of this political problem that we have, if our soldiers will get carried away and forget their mission, that is dangerous," he said.
Past mass actions of the people in 1986 and 2001 have effected regime change after the military intervened.
The AGFO is composed of 750 active and retired generals of the military and police, including Esperon and PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. who act as ex-officio chairmen.
But Echeverria said the AGFO did not consult Esperon and Razon in their meeting yesterday./DMS
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