Acting AFP chief committed to peaceful elections

Glorioso Miranda (right).
PAF (PAO AFP)

The newly named acting chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assured the public of the military’s commitment to conduct orderly and peaceful elections in May.

“Let us secure the conditions that would lead to the conduct of free, orderly, peaceful and credible 2016 national and local elections,” said Lt. Gen. Glorioso Miranda, who was named  acting AFP chief on Friday replacing Gen. Hernando Iriberri, who went on mandatory retirement after reaching the age of 56.

READ: Miranda assumes as acting AFP chief

“Our country is nearing  one of its finest moments, the national and local election, in few days from now. The AFP, your AFP, is committed to achieving an orderly and peaceful conduct of this coming election. As oftenly said, the AFP will remain apolitical and will stretch its means to contribute to that end,” Miranda added.

Miranda, who was previously AFP vice chief of staff,  vowed that the military will continue its “relentless operations against undesirable elements that continue to sow terror in southern territories.”

President Benigno Aquino III described Miranda as a “strategist.”

Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson, said that Mr. Aquino did not name a permanent new AFP chief and instead designated one in an acting capacity  to give the next president a direct hand in appointing one.

READ: Aquino may name successor– Iriberri

Miranda will continue to serve as AFP vice chief of staff in a concurrent capacity.

No key movements in AFP positions are seen until the elections are finished, Padilla said.

Iriberri’s mandatory retirement comes at a time when appointments are banned due to the elections. RAM