AFP officials vindicated by peaceful elections

MANILA, Philippines - Military officials said yesterday they were vindicated by the peaceful automated elections last Monday that proved their critics wrong.

“We were clearly vindicated. The doomsayers and prophets of gloom and doom were proven wrong. Our critics were proven wrong,” said Army chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu who attended yesterday the celebration of the Navy’s 112th anniversary in Manila.

Philippine Marine Corps Commandant Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban said automation hastened the canvassing of votes and dispelled notions that there was fraud.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Delfin Bangit lauded the soldiers for displaying professionalism during the elections.

“I think the Armed Forces just displayed a very high level of professionalism. I salute all Filipino soldiers,” he said in a chance interview.

Bangit also refused to answer his critics, saying he will just do his duty.

AFP Civil Relations Service Commander Brig. Gen. Francisco Cruz Jr. said the AFP was able to perform its tasks well, despite several violent incidents in different parts of the country.

Officials claimed that the poll-related violent incidents recorded were merely isolated cases.

“Despite some isolated attacks the AFP, the Philippine Army in particular, is confident that the election would yield credible results and that the failure of election scenario is far from possible,” said Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr.

There were speculations before the elections that President Arroyo would use the military to extend her term. Some politicians and analysts feared that a military junta could be established in case there was a failure of elections.

The President asked the Armed Forces to extend the same support and loyalty that she received during her nine-year term to the incoming commander-in-chief amid rumors that some military officers are disgruntled over the result of the presidential elections.

In her first public speech since the country held its first nationwide automated polls, Mrs. Arroyo congratulated the military for continuing to protect democracy and ensuring the “elections are safe from interference and to protect the sanctity of the ballot.” – Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero