AFP won’t tolerate ‘scalawags, misfits’ in ranks

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 7, 2023): AFP won’t tolerate ‘scalawags, misfits’ in ranks (By Priam Nepomuceno)

AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar (File photo)

MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it does not tolerate scalawags or misfits in its ranks as it sets the highest standards of discipline for all its members.

"The AFP continues to uphold the highest standards of discipline and will not hesitate to weed out scalawags and misfits from among its ranks," AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement.

He issued the statement following reports that three of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo's killers were former military personnel.

"The tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of Gov. Degamo in Negros Oriental last Saturday (March 4) reportedly involved former soldiers. The Philippine Army (PA) has already clarified that the suspects in the incident were former soldiers who were dishonorably discharged from military service years ago for various offenses," Aguilar said.

He was referring to the three former soldiers who were arrested by police and military personnel last Saturday -- Joric Labrado, Joven Aver and Benjie Rodriguez. All three have the rank of corporal prior to their removal from the PA roster.

Records showed that the three former soldiers arrested were separated from the military service for absence without official leave (AWOL) and involvement in illegal drugs, which is a serious offense that the AFP would never tolerate, he added.

Earlier, the PA said the ex-soldiers arrested and implicated in the killing of Degamo and eight others have long been booted out of the service for various violations of the Articles of War.

"The arrested suspects are former Army soldiers. Notably, they were dishonorably discharged from the military service several years back for serious violations of the Articles of War such as involvement in illegal drugs, AWOL, and disorder and neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline," PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said.

He added that the PA maintains a high standard of discipline in the performance of its mandate to serve the people and secure the land.

"These ex-soldiers were dishonorably dismissed from service as they did not fit into the noble profession of arms. Ever since, the Army leadership has been serious in weeding out scalawags in its ranks in order to provide the utmost and dedicated service to the people," Trinidad said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1196790