Gazmin tells AFP: Be apolitical during polls

From the Daily Tribune (Jan 5): Gazmin tells AFP: Be apolitical during polls
 
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday rallied the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to strictly abide by the chain of command and remain apolitical, especially during the upcoming May mid-term elections. In his message to the AFP top brass during the traditional New Year’s Call at Camp Aguinaldo, Gazmin urged all military personnel to “rededicate” themselves to public service. “This is the proper time for us to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of true public service, it is the time for us to renew our pledge to strictly follow the chain of command and exercise utmost prudence in the discharge of our security duties and functions,” Gazmin said.

The defense chief cited the role of the military in keeping the upcoming May mid-term elections peaceful and orderly. “It is the time for us to strictly observe the conduct of honest, orderly and peaceful elections and to remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times,” Gazmin said. The military is usually deputized in far-flung areas by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before, during and after the conduct of elections.

However, the military was dragged into controversy after the 2004 presidential elections when the infamous “Hello Garci” recordings of alleged conversations between then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and several personalities, including detained former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo. Arroyo, who was then a sitting president, ran for the presidency against then opposition standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr. who filed electoral protest for alleged electoral fraud against Arroyo but died before the case was decided.

Several active military generals were also mentioned in the “Hello Garci” recordings, including then AFP deputy chief of staff for operations Hermogenes Esperon Jr. who rose to become AFP chief of staff during the Arroyo administration. The military leadership even conducted an investigation, led by then AFP Inspector General Mateo Mayuga, who was subsequently appointed Philippine Navy chief, of the alleged involvement of some of its officers but no one was sanctioned.

For his part, AFP chief of staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa vowed a better military performance in 2013. “We assure (the public) that we will never falter in our duties. We have a strong and focused national leadership. We have a decisive and a very supportive leadership at the national defense, the guidance they provide will certainly lead us to perform better and their support will enable us with the necessary assistance exceptionally do our duties,” Dellosa said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/metro-section/item/8748-gazmin-tells-afp-be-apolitical-during-polls