AFP chief orders troops not to take sides in 2016 polls

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri reminded the troops not to take sides in the 2016 elections in his visits to military camps recently.

“It’s just a reminder because he’s taking advantage of his visits to update and remind the soldiers,” AFP spokesperson Col. Noel Detoyato told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday.

Iriberri recently started visiting unified commands after he was installed as AFP chief last month.

His first visit was in Western Command in Palawan and Central Command in Cebu last Saturday. He also visited the Northern Luzon Command on Monday.

“It was one of his reminders to the troops to remain nonpartisan,” Detoyato said.

“We have sets of regulations and sanctions to those who will violate. It was the AFP chief himself who reminded the troops so it is a specific order. Violations of specific orders have their own sanctions,” he added.

As to the ongoing tensions between the administration and Vice President Jejomar Binay, Detoyato said they would continue to stay out of it.

“Kahit ano pa ang mangyari ngayon, kahit ano ang kanilang mga pronouncements, your AFP will always be nonpartisan,” he said.

Presidential candidates Mar Roxas, the administration’s candidate, and Binay are both adopted members of the Philippine Military Academy.

Roxas is an adopted member of PMA Class of 1984 while Binay is of Class 1988.

Binay is also a reservist of the Philippine Marines with a rank of colonel.