AFP eyes sedition raps vs recruiters

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines is looking into the possibility of filing sedition charges against those who are attempting to recruit soldiers for destabilization attempts against the government, a top official said yesterday.

“We are looking into the possibility of charging them with inciting to sedition or similar offenses,” AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said in an interview.

Esperon had said earlier that the military would not be forgiving even of retired officers who would do “foolish things.”

The AFP top brass has tagged retired military officers, particularly retired Navy Commodore Ismael Aparri, in fresh attempts to recruit active soldiers for destabilization moves against the administration.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, for his part, said a thorough investigation should first be conducted before any case is filed against any individual.

“It depends on the evidence. I want an investigation first or the proper authorities to investigate it, maybe the police,” he said.

He said the defense department and the military are continuously looking into reports of recruitment for destabilization plans and that those who would break away from the chain of command would be dealt with severely.

“We continue to look into it and we don’t take these reports lightly. As a matter of fact, we reiterate once again our position that the Armed Forces will remain intact and loyal behind the chain of command and the Constitution and we will deal severely with any attempt to break that chain of command through illegal or  illegitimate means,” Teodoro said.

The other day, Esperon said military officers facing trial for their alleged involvement in the failed February 2006 coup plot are also trying to recruit soldiers for fresh destabilization attempts against the government.

Esperon said the detained officers are able to make statements on issues and communicate these through devised means.

He said, however, there is no need to file additional cases against the officers since they would find it difficult to be exonerated from the charges they are already facing before the military tribunal.

The officers are led by former Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and former Scout Rangers chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Col. Ariel Querubin.