House to probe soldiers’ ‘indoctrination’

The House of Representatives voted yesterday to investigate the alleged indoctrination of soldiers by leaders of the political party that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales heads.

The inquiry was prompted by a privilege speech delivered by Rozzano Rufino Biazon, defense committee vice chairman, who denounced the "indoctrination" sessions being held in military camps by the Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), which he claimed were being passed off as "national security awareness seminars."

"These seminars, which have been conducted and are being conducted among members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in military camps, are endorsed by the national security adviser (Gonzales). They are aimed at enticing the military to engage in partisan politics and embrace a certain political ideology," he said.

Biazon said such ideology is "social democracy," which PDSP leaders allege is far better than "liberal democracy."

"They aim to politicize the AFP, with the objective of convincing them that social democracy is the way to go," he said.

He did not say how PDSP differentiates social democracy from liberal democracy.

But Biazon said all the country’s present democratic institutions, including Congress and the Commission on Elections, are being demonized in the seminars along with politicians.

"They demonize politicians through sweeping general statements. Without citing specifics or proof, they picture politicians as conniving with forces out to bring down the state, including communist elements," he said.

He said PDSP leaders are blaming Congress and the Comelec for the party-list law that allowed the election to Congress of leaders of left-leaning groups. — Jess Diaz