Cory generals urge Noynoy to reject Versoza's resignation

MANILA, Philippines - A group of retired generals and police officers who served during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino urged her son, president-apparent Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, not to accept the courtesy resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa.

Former Constabulary chief retired major general Ramon Montaño said Verzosa showed “moral courage” when he said he will go against any effort to violate the Constitution.

“We, the retired generals who volunteered to support President-elect Noynoy Aquino, earnestly request the incoming president not to accept the courtesy resignation of PNP chief Jesus Verzosa for his great moral courage and deep love for the Filipino people,” Montaño, the group’s spokesman, said in a text message.

“He resisted the clumsy efforts of his political superiors to use the PNP to frustrate the people’s will in the 2010 elections by his public declaration to abide by his mandate under the Constitution,” he added.

Last week, Verzosa said he will tender his resignation on June 30 to give the next president the courtesy to choose the next PNP chief.

Montaño said Verzosa openly defied his political superiors who wanted to perpetuate themselves in power. He did not mention any names but in previous reports, Verzosa said he would not support any illegal orders that will prolong President Arroyo’s term.

The retired general claimed that there were emissaries from Malacañang who asked the PNP chief to quit after he made the statement.

“He (Verzosa) refused to resign his post even when ranking Palace emissaries told him so,” Montaño said without elaborating. “There were really efforts by people close to Gloria (Arroyo) to (make him) resign.”

Other members of the group are retired Lt. Gen. Voltaire Gazmin, PDir. Reynaldo Acop, PDir. Gen. Recaredo Sarmiento, PDir. Francisco Zubia Jr., Brig Gen. Jaime Gopilan, Lt. Gen. Raul Urgello, Lt. Gen. Ed Batenga, Brig. Gen. Cesar Gopilan, Lt. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, PDir. Lucas Managuelod, PDDG. Romeo Odi, PDir. Enrique Bulan, PcSupt. George Aliño, PCSupt. Teofilo Melliza, PDir. Ernesto Belen, Brig. Gen. Thomas Manlongat, PDir. Jose Salvacion and PSSupt. Calixto Pamplona.