Military adventurism a thing of the past - AFP

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) yesterday gave assurance that military adventurism was a “thing of the past” and that it would move to seek an early resolution to the recent incident involving retired Col. Generoso Mariano.

AFP spokesperson Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez said in a forum held at Malacañang that previous coup attempts were “ghosts of the past” that must no longer be repeated for pulling the country backward.

Rodriguez said it was no longer true that the military officials and members were most susceptible to destabilization moves as they could be easily influenced or swayed to go against the government.

“You’re saying that (destabilizers) always go (to) the military? Not anymore, not anymore. Because these are things of the past, things that we have learned great lessons from. What happened, did we move forward? Not really. The proper role of the military is to support civil government in development,” he said.

Rodriguez said military people are now “very happy” with the political situation and that they would prefer to help civilians rather than engage in combat.

Rodriguez said the military “cannot assure the people that there will no longer be any political statement” but those who would violate their mandate would be dealt with properly.

“It’s the right of anybody to express himself and that is contained in the Constitution. But when you become a member of the Armed Forces, you subscribe to a bigger responsibility and you give up certain rights as an individual,” he said.

Rodriguez said the military would continue its probe on Mariano even after the Department of Justice (DOJ) had recommended the filing of sedition charges against the retired officer.

The DOJ has recommended the prosecution of Mariano, who called for the ouster of President Aquino in a video posted on the Internet.

In a letter to the AFP Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO), Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Mariano could be held liable for inciting to sedition.

“Col. Mariano’s speech constitutes an overt act which definitely tends to create sedition,” De Lima said in an eight-page opinion.

Rodriguez said the AFP would conduct the investigation on Mariano. “If the investigation committee finds that he’s liable then he has to face those charges,” he said.

“(We are) providing him the constitutional right on presumption of innocence unless proven guilty that is given to any citizen of the land,” he added.

Rodriguez stressed Mariano is covered by the Articles of War for making political statements.

“If you transgress you have to be accountable for your actions. Definitely, making political statements is not part of our role. Our role is very simple. We take that from the Constitution: protect the people, secure the territory, uphold the sovereignty of state,” he said.

Rodriguez added they would no longer promote the protection of any of their members found to have committed wrongdoings.

On the other hand, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang would allow authorities to look into reports that Mariano had a meeting with supporters of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

If proven true, Lacierda said this would justify their statements that he was singing the same tune with Arroyo and her allies against the Aquino administration.

Mariano is in trouble for a video saying ordinary Filipinos, including soldiers, can replace the government if it fails to implement change.

Rodriguez told reporters that they would want the investigation into Mariano’s video completed within the week.

“That’s what we’re thinking. We hope it would be finished soon, so that we can put that to rest, we can move on,” Rodriguez said.

He said Mariano had already requested for a lawyer to counsel him in the investigations.

Whether Mariano would get his retirement benefits would depend on the results and recommendations of the investigating committee, he added.

Rodriguez admitted the AFP was taken by surprise over Mariano’s actuations.

He said there is no reason for Mariano to make the statement since they could see no reason for the military to be disappointed with the government at this time.

He cited the efforts of the President to upgrade the welfare of the military and the police as well as to upgrade their capability.

“What more can you ask for?” Rodriguez said.

“We’re very interested why Colonel Mariano did it. First of all, Colonel Mariano is also our friend. And then we’re trying to find out, who’s got the same sentiments? No one. And he did it when he was already retiring,” he added.

Mariano, who served as deputy commander of the Naval Reserve Command, said the public should not believe statistics showing that the country is achieving progress. –With Alexis Romero