Incoming DND chief promises to treat soldiers as professionals

MANILA, Philippines - Incoming defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin has assured members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including those from the controversial Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’78, that they will be treated professionally under the next administration, a military officer said yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali, president of PMA Class ’78 and commander of the Southern Luzon Command, said this was relayed by Gazmin in recent informal dialogues with military officers.

“Gazmin assured not only Class 78 but also other members of classes that the administration will be professional in dealing with the officers and men of the AFP,” Detabali said.

He said what is important is that Aquino said “the qualifications for the next chief of staff are seniority, service reputation, and accomplishment.” 

Detabali said their meetings with Gazmin were held during the anniversaries of different military units and birthday celebrations of common friends. “The dialogues were informal. There are occasions when he invited us as guests,” he said.

Detabali said members of their class have been informed about Gazmin’s promise. “As long as you stand by your own accomplishments, you have a ser-vice reputation, you are senior and you did not do any-thing bad, you will retain your position and even go to other positions, higher positions,” he said, quoting Gazmin.

The assurance came amid speculations that Aquino will appoint to key military posts graduates of PMA Class ’77, who were earlier bypassed by President Arroyo. Members of the class played crucial roles in shielding the government of Aquino’s mother, the late president Corazon Aquino, from various coup attempts.

Mrs. Arroyo is an adopted member of Class ’78, whose graduates are now occupying vital AFP positions. Rumors that Aquino will ease out Class ’78 further escalated after the incoming president decided not to keep one of its members, Gen. Delfin Bangit, as AFP chief.

Bangit, who was forced to retire a year earlier than scheduled, has warned that his case could lure military officers to engage in politics to keep their posts.

There are talks that three Class ’77 members – Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David, Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, and acting AFP chief Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa – are being eyed as next chief of staff.

Other Class ’77 members who are now occupying top AFP posts include its class president, acting navy chief Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez and acting deputy chief of staff Rear Admiral Mario Catacutan.

While Class ’78 has been identified with Mrs. Arroyo, Detabali said they rarely met with the outgoing president.

“We meet only if there are official functions. She was busy attending to the needs of her office,” he said, adding that their relationship with Mrs. Arroyo is professional.

Detabali also stressed that the decision of Bangit to retire early is part of the job. “We are all professionals. We serve at the pleasure of the president. We should be ready to move, go to other positions. We don’t have any recourse but to obey orders,” he said.