All About the AFP: Issues and Information

[grabehbebe]

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http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200603020404.htm
By Jaime Laude

The Armed Forces of the Philippines assembled 400 of its junior officers and enlisted personnel based at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City yesterday to remind them of what military loyalty and discipline are all about.

Though not an outright loyalty check, yesterday’s "Ugnayan sa Kampo" dialogue centered on the events that unfolded over the past days in an attempt to clarify confusion soldiers may have on their role vis-Ã*-vis the duly constituted authority.

A perceived breakdown in the chain of command was overshadowed by the actions of some senior officers — including the supposed involvement of relieved Army Scout Ranger commandant Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who was relieved as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Brigade in Marawi City — in a supposed plot to overthrow the government.

"The (AFP) is still very solid now, still united, but from time to time, there are incidents. We have to constantly remind them (soldiers) of their mandate," AFP-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) chief Brig. Gen. Jaime Buenaflor said.

Buenaflor said while the problems involving Lim and Querubin have already been addressed by the AFP leadership, these matters should be explained to servicemen and women.

"We need to explain to the soldiers what has happened, especially to those in the field," he said. "We cannot keep them blind to all of these things. We have to be very truthful about what is happening."

The junior officers and enlisted personnel were invited to the dialogue so that military personnel would have a chance to learn the truth and to speak their minds on issues affecting the AFP.

"These junior officers (majors and captains) will speak on certain issues. The military organization has been affected by these negative reports," Buenaflor said.

Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo was present at the dialogue to field questions from soldiers and the event was open to the media.

"We have invited Secretary Saludo on behalf of he government," Buenaflor said. "We are part of the government (so) we need to know what is happening inside the government. What is happening now? Where can we work together? These are the things we are addressing."

However, military insiders said the dialogue with the young officers and enlisted personnel was, in fact, a subtle loyalty check and an attempt at winning idealistic soldiers back to the AFP fold.

While the AFP leadership has consistently denied summoning a number of officers for questioning, several officers have submitted themselves to internal investigation and openly denied any role in the failed power grab last Friday.

The dialogue was held a day after the military warned that last weekend’s events were just the beginning of a broader plan hatched by the New People’s Army and Magdalo rebel soldiers to oust the Arroyo administration.

The dialogue, Buenaflor said, "is a continuing project of the (AFP). In fact, last year we had this kind of dialogue wherein senior officers served as speakers."

Some of the soldiers at the dialogue expressed surprise over the distribution of a survey form seeking their reaction to the following eight statements:

• Soldiery is a noble profession.

• Soldiers benefit from the AFP reform programs.

• The AFP protects the Filipino people and the state.

• The AFP grievance system functions effectively.

• I am proud to be a Filipino soldier.

• I am aware of the AFP reform program.

• The AFP supports the Constitution.

• The AFP grievance system addresses soldiers’ concerns.

Respondents were asked to respond to each statement with the following answers: SA (Strongly Agree), A (Agree); SD (Strongly Disagree) and D (Disagree).

The participants in the dialogue were asked to identify themselves only as officers or enlisted personnel by checking a box on the survey form.

"We will not take (their answers) against them," Buenaflor said. "This is open for them to relay their concerns to the higher leadership."

He also said he would use the opportunity to remind soldiers to remain loyal to the Constitution, follow the chain of command and support the duly-constituted authority.
Keep a firm grip
Meanwhile, in a bid to avoid a repeat of the Sunday standoff at Marine headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, AFP chief Gen. Generoso Senga directed all military commanders to ensure a firm grip on their personnel.

Senga issued this directive on Monday, a day after Querubin led Marine soldiers in protesting the relief of Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda.

In the directive issued to three major branches of the military services, Senga also asked soldiers to guard against "unscrupulous forces" that plan to use the military against President Arroyo.

"I am directing all commanders to exert all efforts to maintain unity and integrity of their units under the chain of command and prove that we could not be manipulated to serve the vested interests of those who intend to break our ranks," Senga said.

He also reminded the military commanders that the Sunday standoff at Fort Bonifacio only showed that anti-government forces are present within the AFP rank and file.

"I am congratulating the subordinate commanders for the swift response to defuse the tension, thus avoiding the escalation of the incident," Senga said. "No less than the President has expressed her appreciation of the professionalism displayed by the AFP in internally resolving differences."
Tearful turnover
In Marawi City, Querubin was officially relieved yesterday morning in a solemn ceremony and official turnover of command at Kampo Ranao in Marawi City before Task Force Ranao chairman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bin Dolorfino.

Task Force Ranao has jurisdiction over the two Philippine Marines Brigades in Iligan and Marawi Cities and in the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Querubin, a veteran warrior who fought Muslim separatist rebels in Mindanao, cried as he bade his battalion farewell at the turnover ceremony. Querubin had received the Medal of Valor for his bravery and gallantry in combat.

"The future of my military career and the future of my family is a big uncertainty," Querubin said in his farewell speech. "There is always a point in our career when one experiences a vacuum and finds himself ‘not happy anymore.’ It is at this point when one has to make choice of co-existence in pain or leave in order to find meaning in one’s life to live by your principles."

Querubin recognized the support given by Miranda to his quest to develop his military career.

Besides his role in the Sunday standoff at Fort Bonifacio, Querubin was implicated in a foiled coup attempt Friday last week, though the military was quick to say Querubin was not among the military personnel suspected of complicity in the failed coup.

Dolorfino lauded Querubin’s performance over the past five months in Campo Ranao and expressed confidence that Querubin will be able to clear his name in an upcoming investigation.

Deputy Brigade Commander Lt. Col. Luisito Marcelino is now in command of the First Marine Brigade in an acting capacity. — With reports from Richel Umel, Lino dela Cruz

[FK]

mura lagi naa counterpart diri si SNMP.

[Freeza]

The Armed Forces of the Philippines assembled 400 ARMY junior officers ....yep right They can kick and remove the asses of the police, army , and other govt officials who defy them like a common criminal. But they cant do that to the marines unlike
other AFP units the marines is the most discipline , proud , and the least corrupt if not corrupt at all compared to army and police ..most are are busy in sulu and other hotspots most of the time thats why they more bonded... its a good thing that the Dogs of war got 1 more pride left as they say their unity.

[spike_jersey12]

***they protect us, question who will be the eyes if the protector go nutts!!!!??

[FK]

http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index....story_id=68938

Brigadier General Danilo Lim never attended meetings of members of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) central committee, retired military officers and a fugitive mutineer, wherein they plotted the downfall of the President, Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said.

In a statement, Buenaflor said documents seized from San Juan proved that Lim's "involvement in the conspiracy with insurgent groups and other civil sectors of society."

"The grand alliance forged by General Lim, the CPP-NPA rebels and some sectors of civil society is a direct assault to the duly-constituted authorities, the government, and the democratic institution," he said.

In the current crisis that our country is experiencing... the AFP is one of the institutions that was greatly affected. From the alleged involvement of Generals in cheating to the alleged hand of ISAFP in bugging Garci.

og karon ang statements nga gikan sa mga officials mag contradict. Mura naa jud ni sila dakong problema.

[grabehbebe]

Palace sets dialogue with soldiers

An opportunity to personally ask the President certain questions like whether or not she knew of a plan to rig the 2004 polls is something that most senators would grab.

The rare privilege, however, will be given to the military in a forthcoming dialogue with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Malacañang set the dialogue to prove its sincerity in papering over the cracks in the Armed Forces and ending the restiveness of some junior officers.

The Palace, however, requests the participating military officers to “couch their questions carefully so as not to reach the point of being discourteous or show disrespect to the Commander in Chief.�

“When there is a dialogue, you can be sure that any subject matter can be discussed with the President,� Ermita said. “They can openly discuss their stand against the administration and question the election results. And of course they will just hear from the President that definitely she won the election, that she was the winner and even the impeachment case against her was dismissed.�

Ermita said the decision to conduct a dialogue with the soldiers in the field is the first instruction of Mrs. Arroyo on March 3, when she lifted Proclamation 1017 that placed the entire country under emergency rule for a week.

In lifting PP 1017, the President specifically ordered Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. to conduct a thorough review of the situation and quash the remnants of the leftist-rightist alliance.

The review was deemed necessary by the President after a coup attempt led by communist rebels in alliance with some disgruntled members of the AFP was barely averted by the government.

Ermita, however, urged the military officers who will be invited to join the forthcoming dialogue to treat the President as their “mother� and not use the occasion to ventilate their personal sentiments.

“It is unthinkable, really, that those in the active service would be asking questions that would put the President in a bad light other than being courteous. It is not for them to put our President on the line by just repeating their accusations,� he said, describing Mrs. Arroyo as “the mother of the nation.� Joyce Pangco Pañares



--------http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics03_mar10_2006

[BaDBoY]

hahayÂ*

[FK]

Now it can be told: Why 'withdrawal' plot failed

THE country came close to being run by what its architects want to describe as a military caretaker group that planned to take over government briefly and force the immediate holding of elections amid the continuing crisis over whether President Macapagal-Arroyo had really won the May 2004 election.

Sources close to a group of generals and colonels who drew the blueprint for the takeover said the plan called for a bloodless maneuver with the highest officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines doing only one thing—withdrawing support from their Commander in Chief.

The source, an AFP insider, said all the major service commanders—the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force—were briefed about the plan.

...

Other changes

Aside from taking over government while the elections are being held, the architects of the plan were also planning some major changes.

One was to put former Special Action Force head, Chief Supt. Marcelino Franco Jr. whose reputation was untarnished as a police officer, as chief of the Philippine National Police.

According to the sources, there were signs that Esperon was entertaining the idea of taking part in the plot, or simply allowing the plan's execution.

Before the meeting of the three officers that Senga dropped in on, Esperon had met with Ms Arroyo, and met with Lim shortly after meeting the President.

'All systems go'

No details of Esperon's meeting with Ms Arroyo could be obtained by the Inquirer but another source said Esperon disclosed the results of the meeting in his conversation with Lim.

On the night of Feb. 23, "it was all systems go," said one source.

But as Esperon's reluctance grew and turned into resistance, the plan had to be aborted and Senga backed down and reported the plot to Ms Arroyo.

An exit plan was quickly prepared and put into action. Senga placed Lim under his custody.

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.ph...story_id=68994

ma relate hinoon nako ang gi-ingon ni Allaga sa pagpangotana niya kong ni support pa ba gihapon sya ni GMA... ang iya ra gi ingon is support siya sa Chain of Command... nagplano ba jud d i kaha sila nga putlon si GMA sa chain?

[fingolfin]

....again, i ask you.... what could be the solution for that what should you be doing to help iron-out that problem??

[deodato]

In the current crisis that our country is experiencing... the AFP is one of the institutions that was greatly affected. From the alleged involvement of Generals in cheating to the alleged hand of ISAFP in bugging Garci.

og karon ang statements nga gikan sa mga officials mag contradict. Mura naa jud ni sila dakong problema.

Like any other big organizations, one cannot deny that the AFP is problem-free. That is why the President is trying her best to empower the AFP leadership to "professionalize" it. It is a good step that the recent order from the top not to be "lenient" anymore with some of the mis-adventorous elements. This will pave the way for people who misuse their uniforms in the pretext of delivering this country from it's current leadership.

Besides, romour-moungerers like you FK et, al, are the ones that is causing more instability to this country.