GMA to grace Army's 113th anniversary rites

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo will lead the Army in celebrating its 113th anniversary at Fort Bonifacio today.

The defense secretary usually attends the anniversary rites of major service branches as guest of honor.

The event will be held a little more than a week after Mrs. Arroyo named Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu as Army commander.

Mapagu belongs to Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978, of which Mrs. Arroyo is an honorary member.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said nothing is irregular about Mrs. Arroyo’s attendance in today’s event.

“Perhaps her schedule allowed her to attend... she was invited and this has no other meaning,” he said.

“This may be the last Philippine Army anniversary that she would be attending as the president. That’s all. There is nothing sinister about the invitation.”

Torres belied claims that Mrs. Arroyo’s attendance would prove that she is indeed close to class ’78, whose members are already occupying key military posts.

“Let us not give malice to the invitation given to her,” he said. “She is being invited as the commander- in-chief of the Armed Forces.”

No protocol bars the President from attending military events, he added.

The anniversary celebrations will be held at Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

An unsigned statement claimed yesterday that PMA class of ’77 is demoralized by the supposed favorable treatment given by Mrs. Arroyo to class ’78.

The two-page statement, furnished to defense reporters, said class ’78 members were able to secure important AFP posts due to their connections in Malacañang.

“Many competent officers were bypassed,” read the statement.

“This has been a problem of officials especially those without connections.”

The statement said recent developments have prompted class ’77 members to meet regularly in various spots in Metro Manila to plan their next move.

“Class members feel that something big is about to happen in the next few weeks or months so they just have to be prepared,” read the statement.

The statement said such meetings are meant to support Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, a member of Class ’77, who was reportedly disappointed over being bypassed in the choice of Army commander.

“The appointment of Class ’78 in key posts proved that Oplan August Moon is true,” read the statement.

Oplan August Moon is an alleged military and police plot to extend Mrs. Arroyo’s stay in power.

However, the Armed Forces dismissed the unsigned statement as black propaganda intended to sow division within the military.

“It’s very obvious that its (statement) intention is to polarize the AFP which is not going to happen since the AFP remains solid, united and professional. Everybody adheres to the chain of command,” said AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. in a text message.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said security forces will make sure that the May 10 elections will push through.

“Let’s not talk about failure of elections,” he said. “The government is not preparing for any failure of election because it will not happen.

“Our term ends on June 30. We are all looking forward to a smooth transition of power on that day.” - Alexis Romero