EastMinCom vows loyalty to chain of command

Philippine Army troops in action in North Cotabato, Mindanao (File photo by JEOFFREY MAITEM/ Inquirer Mindanao)

DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) based in Camp Panacan here vowed to be faithful to the chain of command, following Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.’s warning to troops on Friday against destabilization efforts against the current administration.

Lt. Col. Rosa Ma. Cristina Rosete-Manuel, EastMinCom spokesperson, said they had not monitored any possible attempts within the command and assured that the unit under Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol stood united under Brawner in preventing any destabilizing activity.

“So far, soldiers within the command had not yet monitored any persuasion moves within their ranks nor any unauthorized movement of troops in their joint operational area (JOA),” said Rosete-Manuel.

Almerol has also consistently reminded troops to remain professional in their dealings, according to Rosete-Manuel.

“The EastMinCom stands united with AFP Chief of Staff Brawner in preventing any destabilization plot against the current administration,” she said. “[Lieutenant General Almerol] consistently reminds troops to remain professional and dedicated to their constitutional mandates and duty of protecting the people and the state.”

She added: “Our significant administrative and operational gains have consistently been progressive. We will not engage in any other activities not congruent to what we have sworn to do.”

The statement came after Brawner, in a message during a change of command ceremony at the Western Mindanao Command in Zamboanga City on Friday, warned soldiers against taking part in any activity that could destabilize the government.

Brawner later clarified to reporters that the destabilization move was not widespread.

—GERMELINA LACORTE