Iriberri reminds soldiers to remain non-partisan

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Hernando Iriberri on Wednesday reminded military forces to remain apolitical as campaign season for candidates for national posts has officially started.

Iriberri made the rounds in Zamboanga to remind soldiers to be neutral and ensure a peaceful and credible elections in May.

“We will punish them, it’s very clear and simple. We will throw the book on them and they will face the consequences of the matter,” Iriberri warned AFP personnel who will violate the guidance.

The AFP has also started the recall of all military personnel assigned as security escorts of political leaders in the country.

Iriberri said the recall is part of the resolution of the Commission on Election (Comelec) which prohibits the deployment or detailing of any military personnel to politicians without request of exemptions.

The AFP chief said under the Comelec resolution, it is clear that all military security personnel shall be recalled even if it will compromise security of the concerned political leader.

“If they (political leaders) have the exemption, we will provide them the security personnel. It’s up to the Comelec to provide them exemption. Our hands are tied with the resolution,” Iriberri said.

He warned that personnel will be automatically discharged from service if caught rendering security without the Comelec exemption.

Movement of the troops will be dependent on the clearance issued by the Comelec.

“In fact in the deployment of our forces we need to get clearance from the Comelec. We seek guidance and approval from the Comelec,” according to Iriberri.

He said the Comelec deputized the AFP to implement the election laws to ensure a peaceful and credible election.