Arroyo rallies PMA cadets to reform military

President Arroyo vowed over the weekend to implement much-needed reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and announced there will soon be a "big AFP clean-up."

"The big AFP clean-up has to be done," Mrs. Arroyo told cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City on Friday. "We are selecting officers for the task force known for their integrity and incorruptibility."

"I know the soldiers in the field are waiting upon the leadership of the commander-in-chief. I shall not betray their yearnings and expectations, nor yours," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo said she is already setting up a task force for procurement programs which will be headed by newly appointed Defense Undersecretary Constancia de Guzman, her former appointments secretary in Malacañang.

The President rallied the cadets to support the undertaking. "With political will and the support of the people, as well as the leadership of men and women of honor, like you, we shall prevail and win. Together, we can make a difference in reforming the Armed Forces," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo, accompanied by AFP chief Gen. Narciso Abaya, told the cadets that efforts to rebuild the AFP should start at the halls of the PMA.

She told the cadets her administration has been pushing for reforms in the military establishment even before the July 27 mutiny where a band of officers and men seized the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center in Makati City to highlight their "legitimate grievances" against the AFP and the government.

While she recognized the complaints made by the mutineers, Mrs. Arroyo said this can never justify the launching of a coup against the government in violation of their sworn duties to protect the country and the Constitution.

‘The officers and soldiers in Oakwood did wrong to the flag even though many of their grievances were valid. I will never surrender the flag under pain of death. But let me assure you that I will continue to reform the Armed Forces," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo stressed the mutineers must face the consequences of their actions.

In her weekly radio message aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan , Mrs. Arroyo expressed her satisfaction on the progress of the military trial of the mutineers.

"So even these people with selfish motives must be made to answer under the law, it is more important that we address right away the legitimate grievances of our soldiers," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo reiterated her earlier directives to Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes to suspend all ongoing military infrastructure projects with the exception of schools and barangay roads.

The President vowed there would be more stricter control in the AFP’s distribution of military materiel which she said should prioritize frontline operations. — Marichu Villanueva