New PAF [PA?] chief claims to be apolitical and non-partisan for ’16 polls

From the Daily Tribune (Jul 16): New PAF [PA?] chief claims to be apolitical and non-partisan for ’16 polls

Newly-installed Army chief Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año yesterday assured that the 85,000-strong command will remain apolitical and non-partisan during next year’s presidential elections.

Año said that the task to ensure peaceful and credible 2016 polls was among the marching orders of President Aquino, who led the change of command ceremony in Fort Bonifacio.

Año succeeded his mistah from the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1983 Lt. Gen. Hernando Iriberri, who was promoted last Friday as the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“In being true to our duty as the protector of the people and the state, count on us your army to remain professional, non-partisan and apolitical in our pursuit of ensuring a peaceful and credible elections this coming 2016,” said Año.

“To our soldiers, the challenges ahead may be daunting but united we shall remain strong, resolute and ready to serve the people and secure the land,” he added.

Aside from ensuring credible polls in 2016, Año vowed that he will pushed for the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATR) Base Camp which envisions to have a well-equipped army by 2016; continuity of internal peace and security plan “Bayanihan”; enhancement of the Army’s sovereignty and territorial defense capabilities and the continuity in the development of Army’s force structure and capability.
Año described his assumption to the top Army post as “destiny.”

“There are things you dream some things you wish for and some things you never expect and yet they are given to you. Standing here before you as the 57th commanding general of the Philippine Army is something that as a young officer I only dream and wish to be but never expected to become,” he said.

“Destiny may have a hand on who succeeds the helm of the more than 85,000-strong Philippine Army. But ultimately what one does while in this position will decide not only his fate as a leader but will also greatly impact on the future of both the Army and our court. For while it is great honor, greater is the responsibility,” Año added.

In pursuing for ATR Base Camp, he said vowed more training and new equipment to achieve a multi-dimensional land power.

He said that of the 76 NPA-affected provinces in the country, 60 have already been declared conflict manageable and ready for further development.

“We build upon this not only to finally win the peace but to secure and sustain it and bring continuous prosperity to our people,” said Año.

In Mindanao, Año said that the Army will fully support the national government’s peace initiatives.

But Año is saddled with cases of human rights violation as he was rising in the military ladder, He claimed yesterday said that his number one order to the troops is do not violate human rights.

“My number one order to all units I am visiting — no violation of human rights, we don’t tolerate (such),” said Año, who formally assumed as 57th commanding general of the Army yesterday.

As chief of the Army’s Intelligence Security Group, Año was implicated in the disappearance of farmer activist Jonas Burgos in 2007.

Año’s previous promotions were blocked by Burgos’ mother, Editha, before the Commission on Appointments (CA). However, the CA has affirmed Año’s promotions.

There were other allegations of human rights against Año as he rose to become chief of the Intelligence Service of the AFP and commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division but he junked them as baseless.

“That is always the case (there are cases of human rights violations) but actually their allegations have no basis,” said Año.

The new Army chief said that he respects others ideology and as long as they don’t espouse rebellion, there is no problem.

“But as soon as you try to overthrow the government using arms then the Army will do its job,” vowed Año.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/new-paf-chief-claims-to-be-apolitical-and-non-partisan-for-16-polls