Kyamko denies quit rumors

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The chief of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command based here has denied rumors that he has quit his post, along with four other top military officials, supposedly in sympathy with resigned Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes.

Lt. Col. Renoir Pascua, Southcom spokesman, said the rumors were just part of efforts to destabilize the Armed Forces.

"As a matter of fact, he (Kyamko) is at present going around the headquarters of divisions and brigades in Mindanao to check the situation of soldiers," Pascua said.

He said Kyamko and the Southcom remain committed to the military chain of command.

"The situation has even bolstered military officials and enlisted personnel in the southern Philippines to be more committed to their mandate and mission," he added.

For his part, Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya, in a statement, branded the rumors as "false" and "crazy" and made to sow disunity within the military.

Besides Kyamko, also rumored as having resigned their posts were Army chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, Armed Forces deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ernesto Carolina, Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Alfonso Dagudag and civil relations chief Rear Admiral Edgardo Israel.

"These rumors are obviously part of the grand effort of interest groups to sow intrigue, undermine the cohesiveness of the Armed Forces and create dissension within our ranks," Abaya said.