The political
opposition will not this issue pass without making some noise.
They have called it a “militarization”
of a government agency that should be left alone to an equally qualified civilian
personnel.
Last weekend,
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made it public that he will ask the help of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, for them to temporary take over the functions
of the Bureau of Customs due to the “dirty games” being done under his nose.
Veteran journalist
Ermin Garcia has come out with his full support for the President’s move. In his
Facebook page he gave justification as to why are the military/police generals
are qualified to occupy political civilian position in the government.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (photo credit to owner) |
Duterte understands
the retired military personnel’s capability, among them are :
“the retired generals really are is a wasted
a pool of well-schooled individuals, funded by government over the decades, now
steeped in management, administration, planning and tactical implementation.”
“I believe it was his experience as mayor for
23 years that taught him that military and police officers can be relied upon
to execute legal orders quickly with no hesitancy to obey since they have no
political baggage to be concerned about- just the chain of command.”
“As the President and head of the chain of
command in civilian government, the retired military appointees understand what
their discipline and appointments require of them.”
We are quoting in full the Facebook post of Mr. Ermin Garcia Jr., for the public’s consumption:
IS THERE A
“MILIITARIZATION “ OF GOVERNMENT? Not a chance. People in the opposition make
it sound as if appointing retired generals is akin to declaring a martial law.
That’s a lot of hogwash, just another ploy to help destabilize the government.
First of all, the retired generals are
precisely that - retired, no longer in the chain of command. They no longer
have any authority whatsoever to order a battalion, a company or a platoon or a
squad to organize an attack or retreat.
What the retired generals really are is a
wasted a pool of well-schooled individuals, funded by government over the
decades, now steeped in management, administration, planning and tactical
implementation, they who were forced to retire by law at 56, at the peak of
their careers!
All things considered equal, they are even
more qualified than most political civilian appointees who’ve had no extensive
exposure to management and yet are asked to run a department. Check out past
governments that appointed mostly unqualified political allies to key posts.
Most could not see beyond their newfound power and left it to their career
subordinates to run the show until it was photo-op time or when a crisis
sneaked in.
So let’s not be dismissive of appointing
retired generals the President trusts.
Perhaps, the influence of retired generals
can still stop coups…but it is not a guarantee. Know that generals in active
service still have their own careers to protect and would not easily follow an
illegal order, especially not from a retired officer or general.
But is Mr. Duterte even afraid of a coup? I
doubt that very much. He has a fatalistic streak in his veins. Besides he knows
too well that any coup today or tomorrow will be not be successful because he
enjoys wide pubic support and any coup attempt will be rejected and will be
countered with violence. Note incessant calls of ex-military officers Trillanes
and Alejano to oust him since day 1 are being ignored to the chagrin of their
supporters and financiers. Why? They know why.
So why is Mr. Duterte getting into the habit
of appointing retired, qualified and honest professional military officers? I
believe it was his experience as mayor for 23 years that taught him that
military and police officers can be relied upon to execute legal orders quickly
with no hesitancy to obey since they have no political baggage to be concerned
about- just the chain of command. And again, he is right. As the President and
head of the chain of command in civilian government, the retired military
appointees understand what their discipline and appointments require of them.
To invoke, therefore, the dark days of Marcos
martial law as a reason to be concerned, is stretched. Martial law was a
wholesale turnover of power to the military - from private to sergeant to
captain to colonel to general. It’s not the case today. Mr. Duterte.is
reactivating to public service only the few whom he trusts and knows can
accomplish a difficult assignment. Note that he is not calling upon a mere
retired corporal or sergeant called to direct government operations.
And as of last night, October 28, 2019, he
said martial law is not the answer to right the wrong in our country. He
maintains there are political tools available to do the job. Spot on!
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