Remain loyal to the Charter, Estrada tells men of AFP

President Estrada called on the officers and men of the Armed Forces to remain loyal to the Constitution above and beyond him as their commander-in-chief.

Speaking before military generals at a dinner he hosted the other day in celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Armed Forces, the Chief Executive said he does not demand loyalty from the Armed Forces but for them to be true to the Constitution.

"I told them (generals) that I am just second to the Constitution," the President said. "So they have to defend our Constitution at all times. The commander-in-chief is only subordinate to the Constitution."

"I told him (General Reyes) that this should be the case because the Armed Forces of the Philippines is an organization that derives its mandate from the Constitution."

Mr. Estrada said the Armed Forces is one of the most important institutions that mirrors the country’s democracy.

"We observe today’s ceremonies at a time of great challenge for us to preserve and defend the integrity of the Constitution and the fabric of our democratic framework which we have sworn to protect," he said.

"I am pleased that you have chosen ‘Freedom: Your Right, Our Responsibility,’ as the theme of your celebration this year. This is a theme that is most relevant because freedom is a right that must be defended and it is our common responsibility to preserve and protect it. This embodies the very principle which Filipino soldiers have always stood for," Mr. Estrada added.

The Chief Executive commended the officers and men of the Armed Forces for their successful military operation against enemies of the state like the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf bandits. – Marichu Villanueva, Paolo Romero