Sacked Army colonel assigned to Mindanao

An Army colonel who was sacked last year for criticizing the government and the military leadership has been given another chance, this time heading a new command in Mindanao.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon announced the appointment of Col. Ricardo Morales as commander of the Army’s 403rd Brigade based in Bukidnon.

Morales, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1977, was sacked as commander of the 404th Brigade in Mawab, Compostela Valley for criticizing the government and reportedly calling on fellow officers to mount a peaceful revolt.

Morales also scored the military leadership for constructing a 60-room luxury resort on Boracay island in Aklan.

The Army colonel earned the ire of top military brass when he expressed his anti-government sentiments on a website.

Explaining the reasons for the reinstatement, Esperon said Morales had already paid for his indiscretion after being placed on floating status for 10 months and being disqualified for promotion to brigadier general.

"There were indiscretions on his part that had to be corrected… that probably cost him an earlier promotion to brigadier general. So let’s see how things (will be)," Esperon said.

The Army chief noted Morales had been a good officer in command of the 404th Brigade.

"He (Morales) is not at all bad. He is good and I think he can do the job of a brigade commander," he said.

Esperon said he even "admires" Morales for "rising above his mistake."

"I don’t even have to know if he is remorseful," he said, stressing the Army colonel had now learned his lesson.

While on floating status, Morales remained firm in his anti-government stand which elicited admiration from some of his peers.

Following his relief, Morales’ father, a retired military officer, even published a full-page newspaper ad declaring admiration for his son’s courage.

Morales’ sudden relief last June sparked much controversy as it detailed a history of repeatedly being implicated in military misadventures even during the administration of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

An original member of the defunct Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), Morales played a pivotal role leading to the ouster of Marcos in the historic first EDSA people power revolt in February 1986.

According to Maj. Gen. Cardoso Luna, commander of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, President Arroyo’s expression of confidence in Morales apparently prompted the Board of Generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to reinstate Morales.

— Jaime Laude, Edith Regalado