AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. presided over the change of command in the Western Mindanao Command on Friday. (Julie S. Alipala / INQUIRER)
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Friday cautioned soldiers against participating in any destabilization plot against the government.
In his message during the change of command ceremony at the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom), Brawner said the AFP leadership is firm in its commitment to the chain of command and the duly constituted authorities of the country.
“Once we find out that any of the active personnel are involved (in destabilization), we will knock swiftly but judiciously,” he vowed.
Brawner also appealed to destabilization plotters: “Please do not involve the active personnel of the AFP.”
He revealed that there have been efforts to recruit from among the ranks of the AFP. “Maraming humihikayat sa mga individual members natin,” he said.
“Marami tayong naririnig ngayon na mga masasabi na destabilization efforts, na dapat palitan ang ating pangulo, dapat magkaroon ng coup d’etat,” Brawner told the soldiers.
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“Sadly some of them are former officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Nakausap ko ang iba sa kanila; sabi ko, you have the right to do that because we are in a democracy but please do not involve the active personnel of the AFP,” Brawner said.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Brawner clarified that the destabilization effort is not widespread.
“Wala naman tayong naririnig na malawakang galawan but may mga (movements) nung September 21; may mga grupo na nagsasabi na mag rally tayo. Alam natin kung ano ang layunin nila. We are warning our soldiers not to join any of this movement (as) we want our country to move forward to progress,” Brawner said.
Brawner presided over the handover of Wesmincom from Major General Steve Crespillo to Lieutenant General William Gonzales, erstwhile AFP Inspector General. Crespillo, in turn, will be taking over Gonzales’ previous post.
Brawner said the swapping of positions is a “very rare occasion in the military.”
Crespillo, who belongs to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Bigkis-Lahi” Class of 1990, took over the helm of Wesmincom from Lt. Gen. Roy Galido last September 5.
Gonzales is a graduate of PMA “Makatao” Class of 1989. Prior to his stint as Inspector General, Gonzales served as commander of the 11th Infantry Division covering Sulu.