Amid ouster rumors, Gazmin gets praise from Noy

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino gave Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin a pat on the back yesterday after rumors circulated that he was on his way out.

Speaking at Camp Aguinaldo during a tribute for and awarding of soldiers who fought during the Zamboanga City siege, Aquino cited Gazmin for his contributions in fighting off destabilizers from the time of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino.

“Let me ask you, who wouldn’t be happy with someone like him who would never pick out time to serve?” he said.

When the Zamboanga City siege broke out, Gazmin immediately reported to him without hesitating to be on the frontlines, Aquino said.

Last week, rumors surfaced that Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya would replace Gazmin after he tagged China as having put up the concrete blocks in Panatag Shoal.

However, Aquino said he was always confident that government operations and strategy were in good hands because of Gazmin.

Gazmin is always in control and unafraid, he added.

Aquino said Gazmin had proven his loyalty even to his mother, who experienced several coup attempts during her term.

“Thank you very much to Secretary (Gazmin) and up to now I really see his loyalty to service as a debt of gratitude,” he said.

Aquino reportedly told Gazmin he was “tricked” when  Gazmin asked him about rumors that he is on his way out of the Cabinet.

“Actually, I went to him (Aquino) and asked him about that rumor,” Gazmin told reporters yesterday.

“He said ‘pinagtitripan ka lang’ (you were tricked).”

Gazmin said Aquino did not tell him who was behind the false rumor, which made its way to media reports last week.

“I wanted to know if it was true,” he said.

“If it was true, why would I stay? I told you if I am retained, thank you. If he removes me, thank you also. My grandchildren have been waiting for me for so long.” 

Gazmin said Aquino’s kind words belied rumors that he is about to leave the administration.

“It’s a way of saying that the rumor is wrong,” he said.

Aquino awarded medals to 16 out of more than 2,400 soldiers who accomplished their mission during the 18-day crisis following a flag-raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Lt. Col. Oriel Pangcog, battalion commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Group Arrow, and Capt. Reynir Nirza of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Operations Group received the Distinguished Conduct Star award.

The Distinguished Service Star award was given to Lt. Gen. Rey Ardo of the Western Mindanao Command; Brig. Gen. Rodelio Santos, deputy chief of staff for operations, and Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, AFP Public Affairs Office chief.

The Gold Cross medal, on the other hand, was posthumously awarded to Army 1st Lt. Francis Damian and Corporal Eduardo Saquing Jr.

Other recipients of the Gold Cross medal include 1st Lt. Jerson Jurilla, 1st Lt. Dexter Carin and Lt. JG Joey Cayao, along with enlisted personnel Sgt. Larry Lopez, Abelardo Angelo, Sgt. Salvador Codon Jr. and Sgt. Allan Adap.

Maj. Caezar Almer Candelaria was awarded the Bronze Cross medal as team leader of the Medical Team, Special Operations Task Group.

Maj. Renie Aureo and Capt. Dranreb Lansang were given the Military Merit medal with Bronze Spearhead Device, while Marine Private First Class Eduardo Jose received the Wounded Personnel medal.

In his speech, Aquino conveyed his gratitude to every soldier and policeman who fought to protect the welfare of the citizens in Zamboanga.

“Your dedication and professionalism will be remembered in history forever. You will serve as models not only for this generation but for the next,” he said.

Yesterday’s awarding ceremony at the AFP headquarters was just one among the many tributes set for the 2,473 soldiers who served during the Zamboanga standoff either in administrative or combat capacity.

At least 24 government forces were killed and close to 200 soldiers and policemen were wounded at the height of the Zamboanga standoff.

The hostilities displaced more than 100,000 civilians and devastated four barangays in Zambonga City.

MNLF rebels indicted

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has indicted 217 more Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels over the Zamboanga City siege last September.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said yesterday  seven amended information have been filed before the Zamboanga City Regional Trial Court.

“Originally, there were 63 accused,” he said in a text message. “There are additional 217 as per the 7th amended information.”     – With Alexis Romero, Roel Pareño, Edu Punay