AFP men hit ‘old boys’ club’

A shadowy group of young military officers strongly warned yesterday against what it called the "personality-based" process in the selection of the next chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The group, which said it chooses to remain anonymous for the moment, noted that some aspirants to the post have been using their political connections to bag the top military post.

The position becomes vacant on March 17 upon the retirement of Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes, whose extension of duty was recalled by President Arroyo.

The group of young officers also lamented that some interest groups and politicians have also begun to lobby for their candidates for the post.

"The AFP chain of command is a key to the unity within the AFP. Occupants to positions in the chain of command are determined to a large extent by merit, service reputation, seniority and acceptability to the rank and file," an Army official told The STAR.

"A personality-based appointment to these positions will erode the effectiveness of the chain of command," he said.

The group, he said, is appalled over statements of retired general and former Defense Secretary Fortunato Abat, who they said had lobbied to have Reyes’ extension revoked.

Deposed President Joseph Estrada issued the order extending Reyes’ term to July 2002 just five days before the military withdrew its support for the former chief executive on Jan. 19.

The official said Abat himself successfully pushed for the extension of the tour of duty of former Armed Forces chief Gen. Clemente Mariano for several months when Abat was defense secretary in 1998.

It’s no big secret, the Army officer said, that Abat is pushing for the appointment of Marine Lt. Gen. Edgardo Espinosa, who is commandant of the Joint Command and Staff College.

Espinosa, according to Abat, was instrumental in mobilizing the military units in Northern and Southern Luzon to withdraw support for Estrada.

No other military officer was more deeply involved in the EDSA II civilian uprising than Espinosa, Abat said.

However, the Army official said the military withdrew support from former President Joseph Estrada because of the people and not becuse of Espinosa, much less Abat.

Besides, the officer added, Espinosa was unpopular among many junior officers because of strong allegations that he was heavily involved in smuggling activities in Mindanao, reportedly resulting in his unceremonious relief as Southern Command chief in February 1999.
Although the young AFP officers profess to respect their retired mentors, they are also dismayed that EDSA II’s promise of reform should be pushed aside by the whims of someone who wants to show that he’s still a force in Philippine military affairs, the official said.

"We are not for Reyes or anybody, but professionalism is also endangered in a personality-based appointment," the officer said.

"The healing within the military continues but it is always threatened by partisan interests that meddle in internal affairs of the organization," he added.

Other strong contenders for the post are Armed Forces vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim, Army chief Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva and Armed Forces deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos.

Villanueva is believed to be a strong contender as he is said to be a protégé of Reyes and less controversial than Espinosa. Reyes chairs the six-member Board of Generals which draws up the short list of candidates for AFP chief.

But De los Santos, former chief of the Philippine contingent to the United Nations peacekeeping force in East Timor in 1999, is said to have the strong backing of presidential adviser for regional affairs Paul Dominguez and Justice Secretary Hernando Perez. He has reportedly hired a publicist to bolster his image.

The Army officer said, however, that De los Santos has been spreading ugly stories about other contenders after Abat questioned Reyes’ extension.

Calimlim’s candidacy has lost steam since EDSA II because he is closely associated with Estrada but he also reportedly enjoys the backing of former President Fidel Ramos.

But presidential chief of staff Renato Corona said the duty of naming the AFP chief rests solely on the commander-in-chief, President Arroyo.

"It’s not seniority, it’s in the discretion of the President," Corona said. "She can appoint any of the top three or top five, or she can opt for ‘deep selection.’ It’s really the judgment call of the President."

"Deep selection" is the Camp Aguinaldo term for appointing military personnel using criteria other than the seniority of the officer involved.
"It can be anyone among the top 10 generals of the AFP," Corona added, noting that Mrs. Arroyo said on Thursday that she is still praying over her appointment to the top AFP post.

He confirmed, however, that the President was indeed considering a short list which includes at least six lieutenant generals. — With Marichu Villanueva