Soldiers warned vs partisan politics

The Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday warned soldiers to strictly adhere to an agreement between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department of National Defense (DND) aimed at insulating the military from partisan politics.

This came about as the election period officially began yesterday with the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy.

AFP public information office chief Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro said soldiers should be aware that the only political right they may exercise is their right to cast their votes during the elections, adding that their only task is to respond when there are strong armed threats.

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines is a signatory (to) this memorandum of agreement, (so) it is just incumbent (upon) the AFP to strictly adhere to its provisions," Bacarro said.

He was referring to the memorandum of agreement signed between the Comelec and then secretary Avelino Cruz Jr. on Oct. 12, 2006.

Bacarro expressed confidence that the AFP will now be sheltered against similar rumors and allegations that circulated after the 2004 elections, when the military was said to have been party to cheating in the presidential race.

"As an organization, I do believe that we are very competent. Of course it is unavoidable, it is possible, that there may be individuals who will go astray. Definitely as an organization, we will not be accused of participating in partisan politics," he said.

He said that if ever there would be soldiers who would take part in politics, they should not drag the AFP, as an organization, through the mud: "If there is such (cheating) it would be an individual act, not tagging or bringing along the entire organization."

Bacarro warned that soldiers would face sanctions if they participate in partisan politics, though he did not elaborate on this statement.

Meanwhile, Bacarro also warned politicians running for various elective posts in the May polls against paying the "campaign fees" extorted by the New People’s Army (NPA) during the campaign period, saying these candidates will be held liable for such actions.

However, Bacarro added that the Philippine National Police (PNP), not the AFP, is given the power to impose legal sanctions against candidates who pay insurgents to campaign in NPA territory.

"It’s already beyond the AFP," he said. "We have no police powers with regard to this matter. The police will be in charge of that." — With Jaime Laude