Gazmin reminds military personnel to remain apolitical

With the next presidential elections a few months away, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin reminded military personnel to remain apolitical as part of their duty.

“2016 will bring forth new challenges, and we will continue to make these challenges. As guardians of democracy, we must remain apolitical and dedicated to our mandate as it is the price we pay for our own duty,” he told officers present at the AFP-DND New Year’s Call at Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday.

It was also his last New Year’s Call as defense chief.

During the 2004 elections, high-ranking military officers allegedly played a role in rigging votes in favor of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“That’s not during our time so that’s why we’re reminding them of their responsibility to be apolitical,” Gazmin said.

He said soldiers should not allow themselves to be used by political parties or politicians as the start of the official campaign period is on February 9.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Hernando Iriberri, meanwhile, is also hopeful for peaceful elections in May.

“For this year, we are determined to continue to win the peace and protect the gains that have been made; we just also dedicate our energies and efforts to ensure a peaceful electoral exercise come may 2016,” he said in his speech.