TUMANGGING patulan pa o palakihin ng ilang senior generals kung may katotohanan ba ang kumakalat ngayon na umano’y isang ‘white paper’ na nagsasabing ginamit lamang ang nagretirong Armed Forces chief of Staff General Bartolome VO Bacarro para isulong ng ilang heneral ang kanilang pansariling interes o kapakinabangan sa umiiral ngayong Republic Act 11709.
Una rito, mabilis na kumalat sa social media ang umano’y destabilisasyon o bantang coup d’etat sa hanay ng AFP matapos na biglang italagang muli ni Pangulong Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. si dating AFP chief General Andres Centino na pinalitan ni Gen. Bacarro noong Agosto 8, 2022 lamang.
“RA11709, not the AFP Chief of Staff LtGen. Bacarro, is the real cause of “alleged rumbling” in AFP”, ayon sa pinakakalat na balita.
Tumangging magbigay ng komento o pahayag si AFP Information Officer Col. Jorry Baclo, hinggil sa nasabing ulat at kailangan umano muna na pag-usapan nila ito. Hindi niya sinagot o kinumpirma ang nilalaman ng umano’y ‘white paper’.
Nilinaw naman ni Col. Medel Aguilar, tagapagsalita ng Hukbong Sandatahan, na: ” The unintended consequences of RA 11709 are already being addressed after the conduct of consultations.”
Ayon sa isang Senior Army General, malaking paninira lamang ito at “hindi ito kailangang pansinin”
Sa nasabing report, ilang miyembro ng isang PMA class na nakitang makikinabang sila sa bagong batas (RA11709) ang nag-iikot at nagpapahayag ng pagtutol sa designation ni Gen. Bacarro at kumukuwestyon sa kanyang kuwalipikasyon at nagpapahayag ng mga negative remarks.
“They have been projecting that the designation and continued stay of Gen. Bacarro has caused “rumblings” in the AFP just to get the ire of PBBM, First Lady Liza Marcos and their advisers”, nakasaad pa sa report .
“In simple analogy, these greedy or “shabby” class are using RA11709 to destroy or discredit Gen. Bacarro but at the same time, using the same law for their personal benefit unmindful of the effect to the AFP organization,” dagdag pa nito.
Samantala, inihayag naman ni Gen. Bacarro na susuportahan ng buong AFP ang nagbabalik na chief of staff.
“As a professional organization, the AFP supports the decision of the Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The AFP will continue in its mission to defeat all armed threat groups for the security and safety of our people, for the defense of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” ani Col. Aguilar.
“With or without the new law RA11709 (An Act strengthening professionalism and promoting the continuity of policies and modernization initiatives in the AFP by prescribing fixed terms for key officers thereof, increasing the mandatory retirement age of Generals/Flag Officers, providing for a more effective attrition system, and providing funds therefor,” the President has the prerogative to extend the retirement of the Chief of Staff, AFP,” dagdag nito.
“The army is a professional organization. We wlll always respect the decision of our commander in chief”, pahayag naman ni Army chief Lt Gen Romeo Brawner, Jr sa pagtatalaga ng Pangulong Marcos kay Gen. Centino bilang CSAFP.
The Philippine Air Force is one with the rest of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in welcoming the designation of General Andres Centino PA as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Pahayag naman ni MGen. Benedict Arevalo: “Everything is normal. We are focused on our current mission, that is, to run after the remaining NPAs and ensure to continue weakening them in terms of their membership, firearms and mass support. Our troops will remain loyal to our oath and to the chain of command. The AFP in the Visayas will remain professional and dedicated to the service of our country and people.”
“Together with the whole Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Navy welcomes the designation of General Andres Centino PA as the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. Being a professional organization, the PN wholly supports the decision of the Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. The Philippine Navy will continue to fulfill its mandate to support the mission of the AFP in protecting and securing our country and our peopl,” aniya pa. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
