Troops Defend Army Chief

We are behind you! Reads a sign at a military checkpoint
in Zamboanga City (Zamboanga Journal)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 11 Jun) Troops in the southern Philippines were disgruntled with the delay in the appointment of Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon after the Commision on Appointment threatened to by-pass him if Malakanyang did not surrender the controversial report about the alleged cheating in the May 2004 national elections.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon, a member of the Commission on Appointments, said he would approve Esperon's appointment only if Malakanyang provides the Senate of a copy of the report of Navy chief Admiral Mateo Mayuga, the head of the inquiry board who investigated the alleged fraud in the past elections that accused Esperon and Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon and two other military officers of rigging the polls in favor of President Gloria Arroyo.

Esperon and Habacon repeatedly denied the accusations and the Mayuga report cleared both of them of any wrongdoings.

A number of senators and congressmen, including Biazon, chairman of the Senate's Committee on National Defense, had been requesting copy of the report so they could evaluate it on their own.

Many soldiers said they were disgruntled by how some politicians try to blackmail or influence the military for their own interests and caprices. "We know a lot who tries to exert influence or ask favors from our commanders, but if they were not granted, then expect something worse in return, and we feel bad about these things," one soldier, Jaime Fernandez, told the Zamboanga Journal.

They also defended Esperon. "Look at him, General Esperon, well decorated and respected by the soldiers, is having a hard time now because of too much politics. And many foot soldiers, like me, are disgruntled with what is happening now with General Esperon and how politicians try to get back at him because of all accusations about his role in the May (2004) elections.

"And I always remember what General Esperon told us every time his visits us -- stay united, all of you, and most all stay loyal to the Constitution and remain nonpartisan," a soldier, Efren dela Cruz, said.

A shadowy group calling itself the Kawal ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Soldiers of the Filipino People) said it hanged several signs in Zamboanga City publicly supporting Esperon. Little was known about the group, but it previously sided with former Southern Command chiefs Angelo Reyes and Narciso Abaya, when opposition politicians questioned their abilities to lead the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Both generals became AFP chiefs.

One sign was hanged at a military checkpoint. It reads: "Lt. Gen. Esperon, CG, PA -- We are behind you, you can make it!"

Troops manning the checkpoint said they saw the sign and did not know who put it there, but they said many soldiers are supporting Esperon. "Our support to General Esperon is unquestionable. The soldiers love him and he introduced a lot of reforms already that is now benefiting us," said Sgt. Allan Abisa, of the Army's 15th Division Reconnaissance Company.

Even government militias were supporting Esperon, said Sgt. Rogelio Regalado, of the First Composite Company of the military's anti-terror task force in Zamboanga City.

"He is a good officer; General Esperon is like a big brother and a father to all of us. He talks to us and we respect him a lot and they should spare him from dirty politics. Esperon is not a corrupt general, he is not a thief, but a very good leader and deserves high respect," Regalado said.