Appointment of GMA kin to ISAFP confirmed

Commodore Leonardo Calderon is the new chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced yesterday the appointment of Calderon, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class ’76.

Calderon, a brother of Deputy Director Oscar Calderon, Philippine National Police deputy chief for operations, will assume his new post within this month.

Asked if Calderon is a relative of President Arroyo‚ Ermita said: "I do not know if Commodore Calderon is a relative of the President. I have no personal knowledge (of it)."

Ermita said Calderon served as his senior military assistant when he was secretary of national defense during the early part of the Arroyo administration.

Ermita denied that Calderon was named ISAFP chief because of a security breach in which Mrs. Arroyo’s telephone was apparently tapped and her conversations recorded.

"I do not think so," he said. "Even before Commodore Calderon was promoted, we have talked about this already, that he may become the next ISAFP chief."

Calderon will replace Brig. Gen. Marlowe Quevedo, who will be given another assignment.

Reports said Quevedo was eased out because of intense rivalry among military officers eyeing his post and for a series of lapses he had committed as ISAFP chief. — Aurea Calica