CentCom refutes Biazon on restive officers

Central Command spokesman, Lt. Col. Jefferson Omandam, yesterday refuted Sen. Rodolfo Biazon's statement that junior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are planning a mass resignation as part of the move to destabilize the government.

Omandam yesterday said there were no indications that junior officers at CentCom are joining the destabilization move against the government.

He said he does not know where Biazon, chairman of the Senate committee on national defense and security, got the information, adding that several military officials in the Visayas were surprised by the senator's statement.

Omandam claimed that CentCom officials were never affected by the "Gloriagate" tape scandal, saying that CentCom chief Emmanuel Teodosio even advised them to go on with their mandate.

Teodosio, who promised to look into the welfare of his men, said the military should continue focusing on its mission.

Earlier, Biazon said that there had been discontentment in the military as several junior officers were angry that some of their officials are engaged in politics.

He said these disgruntled officers told him of their sentiments during their meeting last Saturday.

However, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made no reaction over the issue.