November 27, 2000, The Philippine Star,
Estrada assures military of full support, by Paolo Romero and Jaime Laude,
President Estrada assured the officers and men of the Armed Forces yesterday of the administration's continued support until the end of his term in 2004. The Chief Executive also lauded the troops for remaining professional and loyal to the Constitution despite the attempt of "certain groups" to drag them into the present political fray.
"I am convinced that we shall overcome the assaults against the integrity of the Republic because we believe in the righteousness of our cause and ideals," the President said. "We shall overcome because we have loyalty, the commitment, and the dedication of an Armed Forces that upholds the ideals of democracy and freedom."
Meanwhile, the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), through
retired Gen. Alfredo Guidaya, declared yesterday they are behind the Constitution and the Armed Forces.
AGFO's stand contravened that of other retired generals belonging to the Business Industry and Retired Cavaliers Inc. (BIRCI) headed by
former Constabulary chief Gen. Ramon Montano, and the Federation of Retired Commissioned and Enlisted Officers (FORCES) chaired by
former Army chief Lt. Gen. Fortunato Abat. Abat earlier announced that BIRCI and FORCES have joined the call for President Estrada's immediate resignation, saying that the Chief Executive "has lost all ascendancy to govern" the country.
At Camp Aguinaldo,
Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes appealed to retired generals to speak for themselves and not drag their comrades if they decide to get involved in partisan politics. "If they want to participate in political activities, they must do so in their personal capacities," Reyes told reporters. "It's alright for retired generals to speak out their minds as long as in doing so, they do not claim to speak for all the reservists, retirees and veterans." Reyes was reacting to a series of pronouncements of Abat that retired generals support the united opposition's call for the President to step down. Mr. Estrada told reporters yesterday the officers and men of the Armed Forces have proven themselves worthy of the people's trust as shown by successful military operations against communist and secessionist rebels.
"Your selfless devotion and dedication to your duty to uphold the Constitution and to preserve our democratic ideals have given our people the security and assurance that they can live in relative peace," he said. The Chief Executive said soldiers undertaking civic operation like relief and engineering in far-fling areas have given the people a sense of government presence.
Reyes said retired generals are still part of the Armed Forces, which under the concept of "Total Force" is comprised of the regular and reserve forces. "Technically, they (retired generals) are still part of the AFP under the total concept force," he said. Reyes said the reserve force where the retirees belong can be mobilized when the need arises, and so reserve officers cannot be politicized.
Reyes said retired generals who are calling on President Estrada to resign are supposed to be helping their comrades-in-arms in the active service develop the Armed Forces. However, Reyes said the Armed Forces will not interfere in the way the retired generals would like to express their views on the present political crisis.
"They can even join rallies and demonstrations," he said. In another development, reserve Marine Maj. Joseph Victor Ejercito, who is one of Mr. Estrada's sons, identified yesterday former national security adviser Jose Almonte and former defense secretary Renato de Villa --both retired generals --as among those behind the "psy-war operations" of releasing supposed anti-Estrada manifestos of retired generals. "They are trying to create a wedge between retired and active generals," he said. "Since they cannot get to those who are in active service, they are using retired generals."
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