Yearender 2010: Transition year for Armed Forces

MANILA, Philippines - The year 2010 proved to be a period of transition for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

For one, the troops have a new commander-in-chief, who happens to be the son of the president that some of their elders tried to oust.

The year also saw the end of “Oplan Bantay Laya,” the controversial counterinsurgency plan that was heavily criticized by militant groups.

It was also a year of leadership changes. Four chiefs of staff took command of the 120,000-strong armed forces this year. Many officers were given new posts in various waves of reassignment that came with the new leadership.

But the transition phase did not pass without issue. With the assumption of the new leadership came the familiar allegations of politicking and favoritism within the ranks.

The military’s role is so crucial for any government that every intrigue that arises is monitored closely.

Brig. Gen. Restituto Aguilar, historical consultant of the AFP Museum, said this is the first time in recent history that the military had four chiefs in a year. He said issues about favoritism usually crop up during a change of government.

“Based on my readings on the change of administration, that (favoritism allegations) happens. But it was not as pronounced in the past. Now, you will immediately learn about such issues because of technology,” Aguilar told The STAR.

Aguilar said it is natural for soldiers to have “a fear of the unknown” every time there is a change in leadership.

“Magpapakiramdaman muna (They will test the waters). Those identified with the previous administration are the ones with the greatest fears. That is normal,” he said.

“But eventually there would be adjustments. So far, I have not seen any violent reaction on the change of administration. These things are like birth pains.”

Despite the issues that accompany them, changes are normal in an institution that aims to keep up with the times, according to AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr.

“Changes in the leadership and key command positions are just part and parcel of the dynamics of the institution. Everything goes through rigid but clearly defined procedures,” Mabanta said.

Leadership changes

Gen. Delfin Bangit, who was said to be close to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, replaced then AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado when he retired from the service in March.

Bangit was a mistah of Arroyo, being a graduate of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class ’78, which adopted the former president as honorary member.

He assumed the command a few months before the first automated presidential polls, raising fears that the AFP would be used by Arroyo to keep herself in power. Another factor that triggered such fear is Arroyo’s appointment of class ’78 members to various key military posts.

In his inaugural speech, Bangit vowed to work for a credible election and to ensure that the military would remain non-partisan.

“I will not allow anybody to use me for partisan politics. Sa Diyos lang ako magpapagamit (only God can use me),” Bangit said.

But the intrigues did not stop there.

There had been talks that the upper class men of class ’78 were disgruntled after they were bypassed for promotions. Doomsayers predicted a disorderly election and even the establishment of a military junta.

The May 20010 polls passed without the dire scenarios predicted by critics. Arroyo is no longer president but was elected congresswoman of Pampanga’s 2nd district. There was neither a military junta nor a breakdown of law and order.

The victory of then Senator Aquino in the presidential race, however, paved the way for more transitions in the AFP. President Aquino decided not to retain Bangit as AFP chief, prompting the latter to retire earlier than scheduled.

“His (Bangit) comments and insinuations do not indicate a harmonious relationship with us,” Aquino said in a press briefing before he assumed office.

During his retirement rites last June 22, an emotional Bangit warned that his case sets a bad precedent for officers who want to keep their posts during a transition of government.

“This might lead our military leaders to allow political patronage… during an election period… out of fear that the change in government would make all his years of military service be taken for granted,” he said.

Bangit was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa, who served as AFP chief in an acting capacity for nine days.

Ochoa was succeeded by former Northern Luzon Command chief and class ’77 graduate Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr.

More controversies

Fresh intrigues greeted the new AFP leadership in August after class ’78 member Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue publicly decried the alleged politics in the promotion system.

Angue was chief of the National Capital Region Command, a three-star post, when he was named Naval Forces Western Mindanao chief, a two-star assignment. Angue claimed he was demoted after revealing that some officers backed politicians during the May polls to secure key posts.

He said Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin was meddling in the giving of posts and that those who sided with politicians were given juicy assignments.

“I am sorry to use this word but the promotion system in the armed forces has been prostituted. It is based on the point system. Whoever you point gets promoted,” he said.

Angue continued to issue statements even after receiving an order barring him from talking to the media about the issue. This prodded the AFP leadership to place him on floating status pending the results of a probe on his supposed ethical lapses.

Mabanta maintained that there was no favoritism in the giving of military assignments.

“Placing the right man in the right job has been the primordial concern in the selection process. Professionalism, competence, character and service reputation are among the criteria being considered in this regard,” he said in a text message. “Favoritism like the bata-bata (buddy) system is taboo and is never practiced in the military.”

The military is heading for another transition in the first quarter of 2011 as David is scheduled to retire in March.

What lies ahead

The AFP said the year 2011 would be significant as this would mark the start of “Bayanihan,” the new security plan that will replace Bantay Laya, which ended last June 30.

Mabanta said the programs under Bayanihan, which will be in force until 2016, would be felt immediately by local communities.

“It is expected that there will be more civil-military activities that will be conducted in cooperation with the local chief executives, government agencies, non-government organizations and business groups,” he said.

“Bayanihan” is a Filipino word denoting communal effort to achieve a common goal. The new defense plan is a product of at least four months of consultations with various sectors nationwide.

The AFP said the new plan will focus on non-combat operations like developmental projects that seek to address the roots of rebellion like poverty. The plan also aims to put emphasis on respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

“Even the ordinary people should be involved. It (adopts) a people-centered approach, which gives primordial consideration to human security,” Mabanta said.

Oplan Bantay Laya was launched in 2002 to address the decades-old communist rebellion in the country. It was scored by activists who claimed that it paved way for human rights abuses.

Despite the implementation of the defense plan, the Arroyo administration failed to achieve its goal to wipe out insurgency by June 30, 2010.

“We see it as a year wherein we would establish the system that would allow us to pursue the major thrusts we have already set as objectives. These include the modernization of the military and changes in the National Defense Act,” he said.