PMA security tightened vs ‘political infiltrators’ at homecoming

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – Military authorities here tightened security at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) for today’s alumni homecoming, but not against terrorist threats. The increased security is meant to fend off "political infiltrators."

PMA spokesman Capt. Dennis Solomon said that the PMA, being part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), is duty-bound to enforce the directive issued by AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon banning political campaigns inside all military camps.

Solomon said some 6,000 alumni, some of them retired and now vying for various elective posts, are expected to attend this traditional annual homecoming.

"We intend to enforce (the campaign restrictions) from the inspection area at the entrance of the PMA gate, and all vehicles would be subjected to a thorough search for campaign paraphernalia. If ever we find such campaign materials, they will be seized," he said.

Solomon said uniformed personnel will be manning the gates and plainclothes military agents will be deployed all over the PMA campus to monitor all activities of its alumni.

Downplaying the security preparations as routine military practice and not meant to intimidate or harass candidates from the opposition, Solomon said the inspections and monitoring will not be selective.

"We’ve been doing this annually," he said. "Whatever security preparations were made last year will remain the same, except for the fact that, when the alumni reach PMA, they will be surprised because this is already a different PMA," Solomon said, referring to the conversion of the PMA campus into a tourist spot.

"So far, we have not received any information regarding (terrorist) threats but, regardless, we are still prepared," Solomon assured.

He also admitted that while making political speeches or campaigning openly is prohibited, PMA alumni cannot be prevented from discussing their political dreams with their mistahs.

However, he also said that, once public political statements are made by alumni, they will be confronted by the military police, who are under instructions to enforce Esperon’s directive.

Solomon was also quick to say that this is unlikely to happen, because PMA alumni are men of honor and that they will not destroy a long military tradition in pursuit of their political ambitions.

He also said that, among the PMA alumni, there is a standing gentleman’s agreement that the alumni homecoming will be devoted solely to reunions with classmates.

AFP spokesman, Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said active military personnel would be violating the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) forged between the AFP and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if they engage in partisan political activities.

Bacarro said those found violating this MOA will be subjected to military investigation and, if evidence warrants, they will face a court-martial.

The MOA diminished the AFP’s elections duties, barring military personnel from directly taking part in the poll exercise, except to vote.

Meanwhile, the Baguio City police cleared the road from the city proper to the PMA campus, removing several streamers welcoming the arrival of Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. as this year’s guest of honor and speaker.

Villar is an adopted member of the PMA Class of 1977. His streamer did not contain any campaign slogans. It read: "Welcome Cavalier Villar of Class ’77, Senate President."

Besides Villar’s welcome banners, the police also removed some posted leaflets favoring the senatorial candidacy of opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who once served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"They’re such bad sports," said a military observer referring to the policemen who removed the streamers set up by the PMA Class of 1977 welcoming Villar as their guest of honor and speaker.

Lacson, who belongs to the PMA Class of 1971, has already confirmed that he is attending today’s event.