Soldiers’ battle cry: AFP for credible elections
Amid calls for military personnel to remain non-partisan, AFP chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado personally distributed shirt pins bearing the words “AFP for Credible Elections.”
Ibrado handed out the shirt pins among officers of the Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division at Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz.
During his talk among 3ID personnel, the AFP’s main man again reminded them to remain apolitical in the the May 10, 2010 automated polls.
“I believed that you already heard of our pronouncements and read instructions regarding our guidance and stance about the elections. AFP will be non-partisan. Buot silingin, wala kita sang buligan ukon i-promote nga kandidato o partido,” Ibrado stressed.
Moreover, he told the soldiers that they could not also campaign for or support any party in whatever capacity they have.
“Wala kita labot sa pulitika. We will be deputized by the COMELEC for honest, peaceful, and credible elections,” he added.
As soldiers, Ibrado claimed that their main participation is to help ensure that the polls will be held and conducted and that there will be no failure of elections.
“This is one of the very important milestones of our country. If we will have a credible election, hindi na magsasabi ang kandidatong natalo na dinaya sila. Hindi nila sasabihin na nadaya sila dahil ginamit ang Armed Forces. We don’t want that to happen,” Ibrado added.
The AFP chief of staff also enthused the soldiers to exert all efforts to avoid incidents where AFP is being claimed by losing candidates.
“Ang tendency ng mga natalo, they would do everything they can para maalis ang nanalo. On the other hand, ang mga nanalo would do everything they can para hindi sila maalis sa pwesto,” he said adding, “So, kailangna credible at kapani-paniwala ang magaganap na eleksyon.”
Hopefully, Ibrado said, the politicians would unite to help buoyed the country to development.
“Iniwan na na tayo ng Vitenam. Soon, baka maungusan na tayo ng Cambodia. Before, we’re no. 2 in Southeast Asia but now, we’re somewhere in the bottom,” he added.
He also appealed to the soldiers to vote wisely.
“Iboto niyo kung sino ang gusto niyong iboto. ‘Pag bumuto, gamitin ang utak. Hindi dahil sikat, gwapo o maganda, iboboto niya. Dapat ‘yung may kakayahan,” he told the soldiers.
Meanwhile, Ibrado said that his reminder should not be misconstrued that there are incidents of AFP personnel who are engaging in partisan politics.
“I think there were some cases in the past... allegations in the past that the AFP was used. We keep on saying that so that there’ll be no doubts in the minds of our personnel and in the minds of the public that the AFP might be or will be used for partisan activities,” he explained.
Before, Ibrado said that some personnel were reported to be escorting and providing security to politicians.
But with the COMELEC resolution allowing AFP soldiers and PNP personnel to do security to candidates, the politicians will not look for unauthorized soldiers to provide security to them.
