Arroyo lauds AFP for ‘slaying of allure of politics'
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/22/2008 10:00 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
President Arroyo on Monday lauded the officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for its service to the nation and also to the military’s achievement of having “slain” the allure of politics in soldiers.
"I thank Gen. [Alexander] Yano for crushing the enemy that is called politics within the military. I was so glad to hear him saying our soldiers is not really fond of fighting, they want to have peace because war is never the final answer," said President Arroyo.
The president addressed officers and troops assembled at the Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City for the 73rd anniversary celebration of the AFP.
Yano, AFP Chief of Staff, in his speech before the president’s address proudly announced the achievements of the military the fight against insurgency, terrorism and lawlessness. He placed special mention on the achievement of the military in combating what he called the “allure of politics” in the military.
“There is one more enemy and one more expression of bravery that must be lauded during this occasion. I refer to the enemy called politics and political ambition which in the past have led some men in uniform to abandon the centuries -old tradition of the Filipino soldier. This enemy has enticed the ambitious to interfere in the realm of pure politics while still clad in the soldiers uniform and while still bearing the arms,” said Yano.
“Madame president I am proud to say that this enemy within the Armed Forces has already been slain,” said the country's top AFP officer.
Yano also appealed to those he called “unscrupulous merchants of political wares” who would want to invite the AFP’s officers and soldiers to intervene in the country’s politics. “Leave us alone!” Yano said.
Yano lauded the officers and soldiers who now, he said, possess “bravery to say no to allure political power” and said that the public should trust the military to remain “undistracted and undeterred in performance of mission.”
Several members of the AFP remain detained on charges of involvement in either coup d'etat or rebellion among them two generals as well as Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who was a Navy lieutenant senior grade during the occupation of the Magdalo group of junior officers of a posh hotel in Makati last 2003.
Peace in Mindanao
President Arroyo meanwhile reiterated her administration’s commitment to restart the peace process in Mindanao with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) saying that “peace is the only path for Mindanao and the nation.”
In her speech however she also reiterated the government position of pursuing what the government has tagged “lawless MILF groups.”
We are committed to peace and restarting the peace process. And in order to do that, we count on the Armed Forces to bring stability to the island, to regain order, to bring lawless elements to justice,” said Mrs. Arroyo.
She said that it is through this that “responsible elements regain control of the MILF so that we can effectively reactivate the peace process again in earners.”
Also in her speech, President Arroyo paid tribute to the men and women of the AFP for their continued sacrifice and dedicated service to the country. She also cited the AFP's accomplishment of dismantling 24 guerilla fronts of the New People’s Army since 2005.
She also proudly stated that soldiers were beneficiaries of her focus on economic reforms which said resulted in the doubling of hazard pay of soldiers at increase in their subsistence pay and housing benefits.
Mrs. Arroyo, with National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Yano, led in the awarding outstanding AFP officers and soldiers.
Among the awards given were Gold Cross medals to Capt. Jonathan Ybanes and 2nd Lt. Kenneth Gutleng, who was given the award posthumously. The Philippine Legion of Honor was also given to People's Champ Manny Pacquaio who is an Army reservist. Pacquiao was recognized for his boxing excellence.
Capping off the AFP anniversary celebration was the traditional parade in review where the military paraded some of its men, equipment and armor. It also revived the “flyby” of Air Force fighter planes and helicopters which flew over the grandstand in different formations. With reports from Jay Ruiz and Nadia Trinidad, ABS-CBN News
