By Ronron
February 20, 2008
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. met with other top officers of the military, including from the Philippine Navy, on Wednesday afternoon to discuss operational matters and "enlighten" them on the current political crisis.
"This is not just an administrative visit. We are also looking at the operational aspect of how we do things," Esperon told reporters after leading the meeting at the Philippine Navy headquarters along Roxas Boulevard in Manila City.
"We also discussed here the current controversies, although this visit was already scheduled before the (occurrence of the controversies). We would be remiss if we don't discuss these things," he said.
In attendance at the meeting are AFP deputy chief of staff for Intelligence Rear Admiral Leonardo Calderon, deputy chief of staff for Operations Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, and Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vice Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, among others.
Esperon said they have to discuss the political noise brought about by the expose of Rodolfo Lozada, Jr. on the alleged irregularities behind the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project as a means of getting "enlightened about all these things."
He said the military should not be "carried away by the charges, counter-charges, theatrics and propaganda" triggered by Lozada's allegations, which some sectors have directed against the Arroyo government.
"It's good to be informed. It's good to be enlightened because it is not right to move when later you realize you got the wrong information," Esperon explained.
But he admitted that they have not discussed the calls of Catholic bishops for a people power, even as he assured that the AFP will not intervene in any extra-Constitutional moves.
"If you look at it, the people is really the ultimate giver of power to us, elected and appointed officials of the government. They are the ultimate giver of authority under a democratic set up. But people power should come in other things," said Esperon.
"People power is not just change in Presidency," he added.
He said what makes the current situation different from the 1986 People Power Revolution, which will mark its 22nd anniversary starting February 22 until the 25th, is that the military and others sectors believe then that they will be led to a better Philippines if they join the people.
"For me, my view, at least, is we have a mission now that we want to accomplish. And we are convinced that our priority is our mission," he continued.
Besides, he said he believes that most of the Filipinos now want the AFP to remain apolitical rather than be swayed again to engage in partisan politics.
"We want to present to you an Armed Forces that is professional, an Armed Forces that wants us all to move to a better Philippines," Esperon said.
He reiterated that the organization remains "solid" behind their commander-in-chief, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, proof of which is their "delivery" in accomplishing their mission from "north to south."
"We are committed to upholding the Constitution, protecting the democratic process, and adhering to the chain of command. We are focused on our mission rather than intervene," the military chief said.
"If we are talking about EDSA (People Power Revolution), I think we are not heading to that situation, despite all these things. Our preference is to be a professional security force… for the protection of our sovereignty," he added.
He said that so far, they have not received reports of recruitment from within the military organization to join the current political undertakings to oust Arroyo from power.
Asked how will the military commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution, Fojas said they will just be participant to the national government's celebration program.
Apparently a subtle way of rejecting the bishops' calls, Esperon said: "Nobody could invent people power or dictate its terms as to what it should be. It comes out of a spontaneous contribution of a lot of people."
But, at one point, Esperon uttered the words: "We keep adjusting. Just watch out what will be our action."
Pressed to elaborate on that, he said: "It's just a general statement… We are not playing deaf, we are not deaf. We also listen because we are part of society… So we can discuss that (political noise)."
"Don't interpret it as though we will be taking some action. Rest assured that we'll be very glad to do our professional job through and through," he continued.
In the same meeting, the Navy leadership professed its adherence to the chain of command, following the act of the Army leadership last week.
Today (Thursday), Esperon is expected to make a similar visit and meeting at the Air Force headquarters in Villamor Airbase in Pasay City./DMS
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