Angue slams 'demotion;' Aquino says case up to AFP chief

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has left the fate of outgoing Armed Forces National Capital Region Command chief Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue to Armed Forces chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David.

Meanwhile, Angue told reporters the AFP promotion system has been “prostituted.”

“It is based on the point system,” he said. “Whoever you point gets promoted.”

However, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma said Malacañang would have to study Angue’s case carefully.

“We have to verify (the reports) because the institution involved, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, is important to society’s stability, and we cannot allow statements that are made by certain individuals to affect the integrity and reputation of an entire institution,” he said.

“So we have to study and evaluate that within the context of a bigger picture.”

Angue questioned his “demotion to a two-star rank post,” claiming that the military’s promotion system has been politicized.

Speaking before 200 soldiers at his last flag-raising ceremony at the NCRCOM, Angue said he did not commit any misdeed that would merit punishment.

“As a professional soldier... I will follow (orders) even with an unanswered question in my mind as to why I am being demoted from a three-star position to a lower position in the AFP table of organization,” he said.

“Demotion is a severe punishment given only to erring personnel who have committed grave offenses. Why do this to me and what wrong have I done?”

Speaking to reporters after the flag-raising ceremony, Angue said this is the first time in his 32-year military career that he would witness a general being humiliated and demoted.

However, Angue believes President Aquino has nothing to do with the politics in the handing out of military posts.

“They (Palace officials) were also misinformed,” he said.

“The higher ups were made to believe that no injustice will be done to me if I will be transferred (to a lower post).

“I don’t blame the national leadership because they only rely on the recommendations and the explanations of those in the lower level... But they were misled, as you (media) were.”

Angue said he was informed that a group of military officers has circulated the rumor that during the election period he was involved in a plot to engage in massive cheating to perpetuate former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in power.

“A majority of them are those who are aspiring to get the top post,” he said,

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda had admitted that some military officers met with the Aquino camp during the campaign period, he added.

The worst thing that could happen to him is to face court-martial, Angue said.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said they are now investigating if Angue violated military ethics when he griped before the media.

“The statements of Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue were uncalled for,” he said.

“We view such statements as bordering on insubordination and violation of the AFP Code of Ethics.”

Mabanta said Article 5 Section 4.3.12 of the AFP Ethics Code bars military personnel from seeking redress of grievances through the media.

“The statements of Rear Admiral Angue are currently being assessed and will be used as basis for further investigations,” he said.

“However, the other issues he brought up are also being considered by the AFP leadership.”

The AFP said Angue could complain to the military’s grievance committee if he did not like his new post but he could not refuse the assignment.

Angue was relieved as NCRCOM chief, a three-star position, and designated as Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander, a two-star post.

The reassignment came after Angue revealed that some military officers sided with some politicians during the 2010 elections.

Military officers who backed winning candidates were given juicy positions, while the apolitical ones like him were sidelined, he added.

The Truth Commission should investigate these officers as they set bad examples to their subordinates, Angue said.

The military said it would look into the claims of Angue and punish those who violated the military policy against partisan politics.

Angue belongs to Philippine Military Academy class of 1978, which had adopted former president Arroyo as an honorary member.

Evardone: Review AFP promotions system

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone called yesterday for a congressional review of the promotions and assignment system in the Armed Forces following the disclosure of Rear Adm. Angue of partisan politics affecting the movement of military officers to various posts.

“Congress should look into the promotions and assignment of the AFP,” he said.

“We should make sure that the standard operating procedures are being followed to ensure professionalism in the service.”

Evardone was commenting on Angue’s revelation that some military officers sided with some politicians during the 2010 elections.

Angue said military officers who backed winning candidates were given juicy positions, while the apolitical ones like him were sidelined.

Evardone said Angue’s revelations are very serious.

“If they (allegations) are true, it will cause demoralization in the ranks of the AFP,” he said.

Watchdog: Give Angue chance to tell public what he knows

An election watchdog yesterday called on the administration to give Angue a chance to tell everything that he knows on the alleged involvement of military officials in partisan politics during the last elections.

Fr. Joe Dizon, KontraDaya lead convenor, said Angue must speak before an appropriate forum to reveal everything he knows.

“The whistleblower should be given a chance to tell his story,” he said.

President Aquino should investigate Angue’s claim to prove that he is the exact opposite of former president Arroyo, Dizon said.

Angue has asked the Truth Commission to investigate unnamed senior military officers who allegedly took sides in the last elections and are now reaping the fruits of their politicking by getting juicy posts. – Aurea Calica, Alexis Romero, Paolo Romero, Mayen Jaymalin