3 ex-Navy chiefs among those to be evicted from Boni

Apparently determined to go down with the ship, three former chiefs of the Philippine Navy (PN) and families could face forcible eviction this Saturday if they insist on occupying their quarters at the Fort Bonifacio Naval Station.

The former Navy flag officers-in-command (FOICs) are among 56 retired military personnel facing eviction from the officers’ housing complex.

In a related incident, a fire of still unknown origin razed the Navy quarters of Rear Admiral Rogelio Calunsag, the Navy’s Inspector General, at Fort Bonifacio. Calunsag’s quarters were totally destroyed by the fire that began at about 6 a.m. and was extinguished one hour later.

Navy spokesman, Capt. Geronimo Malabanan said the incident, which happened days before Navy authorities are set to evict 56 retired officers, is now being investigated.

"The house was burned down... I saw it myself, they weren’t able to bring out their appliances," said Marines spokesman Major Ariel Caculitan.

The fire caused a blackout at the Bonifacio Naval Station and nearby Marines headquarters, Caculitan said.

Meanwhile, Naval records showed that the overstaying Navy men are FOICs Vice Admirals Mariano Dumancas, Victorino Hingco and Ernesto de Leon.

Aside from facing eviction for overstaying occupants at the PN Officers quarters, the three, except for Dumancas, also allegedly failed to settle their electricity and water bills.

No immediate comment could be gathered from the three officers. De Leon is presently the ambassador to Australia.

Retired and formerly prominent Navy officers who, along with their families, also face forcible eviction from their quarters are former Marine Commandant and Central Command chief, retired Lt. Gens. Emmanuel Teodosio, Edgardo Espinosa and Capt. Proceso Maligalig.

Espinosa is said to be a close ally of President Arroyo, reportedly due to his role in the ouster of former friend and deposed president Joseph Estrada.

Navy spokesman Capt. Geronimo Malabanan refused to name the others who are facing eviction for the time being.

But Malabanan said the 56 retired officers who will be evicted include five vice admirals (lieutenant generals); seven rear admirals (major generals); 28 Commodores (Brigadier Generals); 15 Navy captains (colonel); and a police chief superintendent.

In a radio interview, Navy chief Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga asserted that his leadership would no longer tolerate the overstaying occupants at the expense of active officers and enlisted personnel.

"Our years of service in the Navy should have given us ample time to prepare for our retirement," Mayuga said.

While other active military personnel and their families are being deprived of the housing units, he stressed the overstaying officers are also improperly benefiting from taxpayers’ money.

Addressing his former bosses as "sirs," Mayuga, who at the last minute backed out from personally serving a final notice of eviction to 56 retired officers, appealed for them to heed the call of the active service members and "not wait until Saturday because the housing issue has deeply affected the morale of our sailors and marines."

Mayuga lamented that, because of the continued refusal of his senior but already retired officers to vacate their quarters, he and his wife have had to rent a place outside the base.

If retired officers lack transportation to aid in their relocation, Mayuga added, the Navy would offer its services to help move their belongings anywhere within Luzon.

On the other hand, retired naval officers issued a manifesto yesterday declaring that their continued stay at the Fort Bonifacio Naval Station is legal.

Board of directors and members of the Navy Officers Village Association, Inc. (NOVAI) cited the long and tedious legal battle that led to their victory in gaining their right to own property inside the naval station’s 20-hectare housing facility.

As to the other cases, the board claimed that these are being resolved legally, with the Supreme Court ruling for a status quo on the issue.

"The retired officers na mga makakapal are not at odds with the Philippine Navy nor with the junior officers. They only fought, and are still fighting, for what is legal, fair and just," the NOVAI said.

"Were it not for them (retired Navy officers) and those founding members, perhaps the PN would already be out of the area and the place taken over by some government agencies or by private entities," the NOVAI board, referring to the previous attempts by other government agencies and private entities to take over the Navy property in the past, declared.

The NOVAI statement came in response to name-calling from senior,middle and junior-grade officers in urging Mayuga to be firm in implementing his order.

Without identifying themselves, these officers called the retired officers "walang hiya and without delicadeza."

"We appeal to you (retired officers) not on legal grounds anymore, since you have conveniently used it to your advantage, but o your moral obligation to the Navy you have served, and the people you left behind in this organization," the group declared in its one-page manifesto issued yesterday.