Aquino sacks Army spokesman

MANILA, Philippines - For speaking his mind on the deaths of 19 soldiers in a firefight with Muslim rebels and terrorists in Basilan, the spokesman of the Philippine Army was ordered relieved of his post by Malacañang.

President Aquino ordered Col. Antonio Parlade sacked as Army spokesman, along with Col. Alexander Macario, commander of the military’s Special Operations Task Force Basilan, after a command conference at Camp Aguinaldo Friday.

“Yes, it’s confirmed. It comes with the job,” Parlade said in a text message when asked for confirmation of reports on his dismissal.

Malacañang, meanwhile, advised government spokespersons not to voice out their personal opinions - especially if these are contrary to the official position.

Parlade’s deputy Maj. Harold Cabunoc took over his job as spokesman, while Col. Ramon Yogyog replaced Macario.

“I relieved Col. Macario effective Oct. 21, after further inquiry showed operational lapses on his part,” Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz said in a text message.

Parlade, for his part, said he only did his job when he relayed to civilian superiors the sentiments of ordinary soldiers after the Basilan incident.

“No regrets. I’m happy knowing our soldiers’ voice and sentiments were heard. We are not politicians. We’re professional soldiers,” Parlade said.

Earlier, Parlade surprised his superiors and Palace officials with a statement recommending suspension of the ceasefire with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front whose members - reportedly with the help of Abu Sayyaf bandits - engaged outnumbered Special Forces troops in Al Barka, Basilan and killed 19 soldiers.

Reports said six of the 19 were killed execution-style.

The Special Forces troops were in Al Barka to serve a warrant for the arrest of a suspected criminal.

The sacking of Macario and Parlade, sources said, has further demoralized the military’s rank and file and some officers are reportedly planning to resign to give the new set of officers a free hand in dealing with the MILF problem.

“We really are considering resigning our positions and we are willing to be placed on freezer assignments,” said a senior officer who declined to be named.

In an informal meeting with a select group of journalists, the officers admitted that they were hurt by the President’s pronouncements that he was not satisfied with the military’s performance in the past months.

“This public pronouncement coming from our commander-in-chief has a demoralizing effect on all of us,” another senior AFP official said.

One of the senior officers said that as commander-in-chief, the President is free to berate or punish erring officers but that it should not be done publicly.

He said the President’s pronouncement is expected to embolden rebels and terror groups to launch attacks.

“Now, who will be enthusiastic in his work if the government has these policies? The military has lost men, but our commander-in-chief seems to be siding with the enemies,” another officer said in Filipino.

They lamented the relief of Parlade and Macario, whom they described as professional military officers.

Earlier, Lt. Col. Leo Peña, a battalion commander of the Army’s 4th Special Forces in Basilan, was relieved of his post due to operational lapses that led to the deaths of the 19 soldiers.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said he was unaware of any plans by some senior officers to resign out of frustration over the government’s handling of the Basilan tragedy.

“This is the first that I heard about that. But there’s no problem if they wish to resign for as long as the reasons are legitimate and is carried out within the chain of command,” Burgos said.

On the other hand, Burgos said that while the AFP is not launching an all-out war against the MILF in Mindanao, sustained military operations will continue against lawless and bandit groups in Basilan.

“We will continue to pursue justice for our 19 fallen soldiers in Basilan,” Burgos said. 

No personal opinion

 Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, meanwhile, said expressing personal opinion is a no-no for government spokespersons.

In an interview over dzRB radio, Valte also said an investigation is underway to determine the cause or who is to blame for the “operational lapses” that led to the Basilan carnage. She said those found liable may face court martial.

“Spokespersons should understand firstly that... we are not the policymakers. We only answer questions for the principal. In our case, in the case of myself and (presidential spokesman) Secretary (Edwin) Lacierda, it’s the President. In the case of Col. Parlade, it’s the Army,” Valte said.

“We cannot give our personal opinion,” she said.

She added the President was not against transparency when he allowed the relief of the officers.

“We are supposed to stick to what the policy is... In fact, in several instances, Secretary Lacierda and I have been questioned by several quarters and told that they were just expressing their own opinions and not the opinion of President Aquino,” Valte said.

She said an investigation into the incident would seek to find out why the soldiers ran out of ammunition during the encounter with the MILF guerrillas. Investigators would also try to determine if traitors or tipsters had infiltrated the AFP ranks.

But Valte said actions against erring military officials should not be taken to mean that the President was siding with the MILF.

“This does not mean siding with the opposing forces. There is nothing like that. We just want to see what happened and what can be improved because the deaths of 19 soldiers is no joke,” Valte added.

Aquino, during his visit on Friday to the wakes of the fallen soldiers at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, said questions had to be answered regarding the Basilan incident.

He said that for one, he was wondering why soldiers had been plucked out of scuba diving training and sent to Basilan.

“We still have more questions, we asked them during the command conference (Friday afternoon) there many things unearthed. Maybe it’s wrong for me to give you a detailed (discussion) at this time as to what we found out,” Aquino said.

“There is an investigation going on and at least two officials were relieved from their posts. We expect the result of the investigation to come out by next week and if there is a need for a court martial once it comes out in the result of the investigation that there are really those who committed lapses, (then so be it),” he said.

“I promised that they (victims’ families) would obtain justice but right now they should feel the gratefulness from the nation for the noble deeds of their loved ones,” Aquino said.

Fight for peace

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., for his part, urged government troops to continue fighting for peace as a fitting tribute to the soldiers who fought and died in Al Barka, Basilan.

Ochoa made the call during the commemoration of the 113th Foundation Day of the Philippine Military Academy. Two of the 19 slain soldiers were PMA alumni.

“I know many of you knew the two brave heroes who gave their lives in Basilan, and it is only right that we mourn those who have passed on,” Ochoa, said referring to 2Lt. Jose Delfin Keh and 1Lt. Valdimir Maninang.

“We should also remember that there is no greater tribute to our brave heroes than by fighting for what they themselves fought for: to win the peace. Peace with principle, peace with honor, peace without sacrificing our sovereignty,” Ochoa said.

“Our goal has always been peace because history has taught us no country has ever benefited from long, drawn-out internal conflicts,” he added.

In the midst of the Basilan tragedy, Ochoa urged the cadets to honor the memory of the fallen soldiers “by being true to the values they lived and died for: courage, integrity and loyalty - the three words that all PMA cadets and alumni live by.”

Despite the risks, Ochoa said many young Filipinos still aspire to enter the uniformed service through the PMA and serve the nation.

So far the PMA has produced over 7,000 officers, including 45 graduates from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.

This year alone, 16,000 individuals applied to enter the academy, but only over 6,000 were allowed to take the entrance exams. Only a thousand passed the exams. - With Aurea Calica