Monday, May 23, 2016

Ex-generals suggest allowing AFP, PNP chiefs to take posts before Duterte oath-taking

From InterAksyon (May 23): Ex-generals suggest allowing AFP, PNP chiefs to take posts before Duterte oath-taking



Tight security around Rodrigo Duterte. Photographed by Jhun Dantes, InterAksyon.com

Ex-generals involved with the security arrangements for presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte will be asking his transition committee to coordinate with their counterparts in the administration of President Benigno Aquino about the possibility of holding the change of command ceremony for the military and police before the presidential oath taking ceremony on June 30.

"The two generals (incoming Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Director General of the Philippine National Police) can assume in an acting capacity until such time that President-elect Duterte is sworn into office. The change of command is to give the new military and police chiefs leverage to prepare Duterte's security for the oath-taking," a source from the inner circle of Duterte, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told InterAksyon.

He said the turnover of commands in the AFP and PNP could be done at least a week before the presidential oath-taking.

Waiting to be installed are Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya and Chief Supt. Ronald de la Rosa, for AFP and PNP chiefs, respectively.

Visaya is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) "Matikas" Class 1983 while De la Rosa belongs to PMA "Sandiwa" Class '85.

According to reports, Duterte is planning to take his oath at the MalacaƱan Palace.

Duterte's camp has already named Colonel Rolando Bautista to head the Presidential Security Group (PSG). Bautista (PMA Class '85) is currently commander of the Army's 104th Infantry Brigade and concurrent commander of Joint Task Group Basilan.

Duterte has also named former chief of staff Gen. (retired) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. as National Security Adviser (NSA). Esperon served as chief of staff during the administration of detained former President and re-elected Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meanwhile, after announcing that former defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro declined the offer to be his defense secretary, Duterte said he is inclined to appoint an ex-general to lead the Department of National Defense (DND). Teodoro also served as defense secretary of Arroyo.

http://interaksyon.com/article/128129/ex-generals-suggest-allowing-afp-pnp-chiefs-to-take-posts-before-duterte-oath-taking

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