IN SWAN SONG

Gonzales tells men of AFP: Stay out of politics

By Mario J. Mallari

06/26/2010

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales yesterday bade farewell to the officers and men of the Armed Forces while reminding them not to meddle in what he said was the anticipated “not so normal” political environment in the coming months.

Gonzales, who vowed to play an active role in the political opposition in the coming administration of President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, told the officers and men of the Armed Forces to let politicians like him talk about politics.

He told the members of the AFP not to get affected by what he expects to be the initiation of political bickerings in the coming days.

“I am anticipating that the political situation or the political environment of our country will still be not so normal. There will be a lot of political debates in the coming months,” Gonzales told thousands of officers and men, led by acting Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa.

The AFP accorded Gonzales with a testimonial review at the military’s general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo. The military traditionally accords such review to departing top officials of the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND).

“While we politicians are busy debating, I think it is very important for the Armed Forces to remember that each time there is a disaster, in all the crying hours of our people, they normally would expect the helping hand of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” the outgoing DND chief said.

Gonzales, who is also the chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, said at least two typhoons are due to come and it was very important for the military to prepare how to respond to these calamities.

“When our people are in their crying moments, the helping hand that our people is expecting is that of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. You should deal with that properly. Don’t join the confusion that we create in the field of politics.

“Many of the things we do not expect to happen are actually happening in matters of disasters...Be with the people in times of their need, be there all the time. My only hope now is that the Armed Forces will remain united and true to its mandate because more than ever, you are needed by our countrymen,” he said.

Gonzales at the same time noted the “dramatic changes” in the traditional role of the military as defender of the country from anti-government forces due to wide-scale disasters and climate change.

As a member of the Cabinet, Gonzales’ term as defense chief is co-terminus with that of President Arroyo, who is stepping down on noontime of June 30. He was named acting defense chief late last year after his predecessor, Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., joined the presidential race.

Gonzales is also Arroyo’s National Security Adviser.

Last Thursday, Gonzales said he went to Cebu to enroll for an architecture course at the San Carlos University.

Earlier, he said if he does not join the opposition, he will take up a course in architecture.

Taking back his earlier pronouncement, Gonzales said: “This does not mean that I will not be in the opposition. I will be a student and an opposition at the same time.”

Nevertheless, he said he is willing to cooperate with the coming administration if this will improve the quality of the people’s lives.

Gonzales said he was about to start listing a number of subject matters that he would advocate in the next administration as a “responsible opposition.” He said first on his list are reform programs for the defense and military establishment.

After thanking and bidding farewell to the troops, he said: “Don’t forget that you are the protector of the people. Love them the way they love you.”

In an ambush interview, Gonzales said the new opposition will not be bent on inflicting the same damage like that inflicted by the political opposition during the term of the Arroyo administration.

For his part, Ochoa expressed the military’s gratitude to Gonzales for his all-out support to the military organization during his incumbency as acting defense chief. With PNA

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