By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 11:10am (Mla time) 12/21/2006
(UPDATE) ARMED Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday that "putting an end to adventurism" is "foremost" on the military's agenda.
Esperon told his commander-in-chief that with the key suspects behind the failed February coup d'etat facing court martial, restive troops would "think twice" before attempting to topple government.
Speaking at the 71st anniversary celebrations of the AFP in Camp Aguinaldo, Esperon said "internal transformation" would be pursued alongside Oplan Bantay Laya 2, the military's new internal security master plan, which will be launched in January.
"Foremost on our agenda is putting an end to adventurism and institutionalizing professional among our personnel," Esperon said.
"We have made great headway in this regards, as we have shown our resolve to prosecute transgressors. Now, adventurists would think twice, knowing that they would be dealt with the full force of the law," he added.
Esperon told Arroyo that military reforms are being pursued
"tirelessly" to prevent "coup-mongers" from exploiting soldiers' grievances.
He also thanked Arroyo profusely for addressing soldiers' needs on housing and health care and for supporting the AFP capability upgrade program. He said the words "thank you" five times in less than a minute.
"We could not ask for more," Esperon said, as Arroyo, who was seated onstage, smiled.
The expression of gratitude was reversed from last year's AFP anniversary when Arroyo thanked then military chief Generoso Senga for keeping the soldiery apolitical amid the political storm triggered by the "Hello Garci" wiretapping scandal.
The wiretapped tapes purportedly caught Arroyo speaking to former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about plans to rig the 2004 election results in her favor.
Twenty-eight officers linked to the failed February uprising are set to be arraigned before a general court martial on January 11 on mutiny charges for allegedly planning a mass withdrawal of support from Arroyo last February 24 by joining anti-government street demonstrations.
Ex-marine commandant Major General Renato Miranda, Army Brigadier General Danilo Lim and Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin lead the accused.
Even before the original group of 30 officers were arraigned last December 14, Esperon absolved two -- Marine Lieutenant Colonels Romulo Gualdrapa and Valentine Hizon -- due to lack of evidence.
The arraignment was originally scheduled on December 14 but was reset to January 11 due to numerous manifestations by defense counsels.
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