‘Where do bets stand on nat’l security?’

A group of retired military generals urged their fellow retirees to pick the country’s next leaders wisely.

The Association of General and Flag Officers (AFGO) said retired military personnel should take into consideration national security issues in choosing the next president and commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“I am asking them to discern carefully each of the candidates’ stands and views on national security and peace and order,” said Edilberto Adan, a retired lieutenant general of the Philippine Army.

In a statement, AGFO appealed to military veterans and retirees to do their patriotic duty on May 9 by going out to vote.

The AGFO posed four questions to consider in choosing the next president:

Will this leader unite our people and lead us to being a stable and secure nation?

Will this leader deal with terrorism, lawlessness and criminality with a firm hand?

Does this leader understand and consider the critical significance of alliances with our nation’s security partners?

Will he or she nurture professionalism and instill pride in the AFP and the Philippine National Police?

Earlier, AGFO denied rumors it was backing a particular presidential candidate.

The group said it wanted “a candidate with a good, mature view, knowledgable and well versed in national security matters.”

AGFO’s guideline to its members is to “vote wisely for candidates who have the national interest as a foremost consideration.”