Military commanders declare support for AFP chain of command

Key military commanders from the three major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) came in full force yesterday to attend the traditional New Year’s call at Camp Aguinaldo as a show of support for the chain of command.

Ranking officers from the Army’s brigade and special unit commands nationwide led by Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon showed up in single formation in a parade before AFP chief Gen. Generoso Senga at the AFP Officers’ Club.

Navy officers led by Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga and the Air Force personnel led by Lt. Gen. Jose Reyes also stood along with their respective commanders and presented themselves to Senga.

"This is a yearly traditional event but this year, we are here in full force to show our support to the chain of command," declared one of the senior Army officers.

Also in attendance were the foreign military attachés, if only to show their respect to Senga as chief of the country’s 117,000-strong military.

Wearing their respective dress uniforms, the officers of the AFP’s three major commands were called upon in their formal entry to the military officers’ clubhouse.

"Lahat sila ’andito ngayon. Tradisyon na ito (All of them are here, it has been a part of our tradition)," explained an aide to one of the senior military officers, as he downplayed speculations that the well-attended event could be interpreted as a show of force.

Rumors of military restiveness surfaced once again after Air Force Col. Efren Daquil exposed alleged financial irregularities in his unit last week, as well as the recent reported visit of escaped Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon to the AFP’s Western Command in Palawan.

Daquil alleged that since 2004, Air Force generals and wing commanders have been receiving P45,000 in extra monthly allowance on top of their regular allowances and salaries.

The air force officer also alleged that, while he was chief of the Air Force personnel, his office’s savings amounting to P30 million were appropriated on orders of the Air Force chief.

But Reyes has denied the claims and said the money was used to purchase clothing and athletic outfits for the airmen.

Reyes said the purchase was even approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Reyes declared the AFP top brass would conduct an audit of the expenditures of the Air Force to clear up the matter.

"The AFP chief has ordered an audit and we are open to this," Reyes said.

Reyes declared he was surprised by the allegations of irregularity raised by Daquil, pointing out their personal friendship.

"I don’t really know what his motives are in coming out against me and the Air Force. We’re very close friends and I’m surprised that he came out," Reyes said.

As for Daquil’s request to be placed under the custody of the Senga, Reyes said he would not pose an objection.

"If there is an official request I will forward it to the chief of staff and if approved, why not?" Reyes said.

Reyes stressed Daquil is not under any command restrictions nor under arrest.

However, due to national security considerations and for his own safety, Reyes said that Daquil should be placed under guard.

Military intelligence reports had linked Daquil to the foiled power grab among members of the Special Operations Wing (SPOW) and elements of the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) that attempted to take over the Air Force headquarters in Pasay City.

"Tinitingnan ngayon natin ang lahat na posibilidad (We are looking into the possibility) on why he did this (exposé)," Reyes said.

Reyes maintained that the morale of Air Force personnel remains high despite the unresolved controversy.

Air Force Sgt. Maj. Cesar Soloria declared that the entire Air Force enlisted personnel remained focused on their duties.

Soloria also declared the enlisted personnel fully support the present Air Force leadership.

In a manifesto released yesterday, the officers’ corps of the Air Force denounced Daquil for airing his complaint before the media.

"As this year begins, the PAF finds itself under attack from one of its own. The honor and professionalism of the service is at stake as the charges were baseless and made public before the media," Air Force Maj. Gen. Christie Datu, chairman of the PMA Alumni Association Inc. in the Air Force, declared in the manifesto.

The manifesto was signed by Air Force Maj. Gen. Segundo Dimpalis, Maj. Gen. Vicente Guerzon Jr., Maj. Brig. Gen. Fernando Manalo, Brig. Gen. Francisco Villa and Col. Roy Deveraturda, deploring what they called the "unprofessional actions" of Daquil.

"His (Daquil) public pronouncements were a clear violation of the chain of command and were prejudicial to good order and military discipline," the Air Force officers’ manifesto declared.

In an earlier interview, Daquil justified his actions saying he no longer believes that the chain of command nor the military’s grievance mechanism still works.

Without naming names, Daquil cited past experiences wherein he brought to the attention of his immediate superiors his discovery of "ghost deliveries" of spare parts for Air Force planes amounting to P19 million.

"After the investigation, it was found out that there was indeed a ghost delivery of the plane’s spare parts, but what happened? Instead of getting punished, the guys I complained about even got promoted," Daquil lamented.