BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO – Amid calls for the military to withdraw support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Chief Executive’s adviser on military and police affairs reminded Western Visayas policemen to be loyal to the chain of command.
This loyalty must be “unconditional and unwavering” at all times, stressed Secretary Roman Felix of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Military and Police Affairs (OPAMA) during the flag-raising ceremony yesterday at Camp Martin Delgado, the headquarters of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) here.
On April 14, Davao del Norte’s Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to withdraw its support from Marcos, claiming that such an act would allow the country to attain peace and stability.
The lawmaker made the call after noting the rising tensions between the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.
“Let us remain steadfast and resolute in ensuring the political stability of the PBBM administration. And let us affirm the duly constituted authorities at all times,” said Felix.
The Secretary admitted he had repeatedly issued this reminder “on several occasions already.”
“However, I deem it appropriate to deliver it over and over again just to overemphasize to each and every one of you that the loyalty of the Armed Services to our President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency Ferdinand Marcos Jr., must be unconditional and unwavering at all times.”
In an interview with reporters in Metro Manila, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said they remain loyal to the Constitution and would stick to their mandate of maintaining peace and order.
“Let us spare yung uniformed personnel sa mga ganitong mga usaping pulitikal (Let us spare our uniformed personnel from these political matters),” she added.
Meanwhile, AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. maintained that the military remains a very professional organization.
“This is not the first time na nanawagan sila na (they made this call that) we pull out our support from the President but our answer is always the same – the AFP remains to be a professional organization. Very clear po yung mandate natin (our mandate is very clear). We will protect the Constitution and we will follow the duly constituted authorities,” he said in a separate interview.
Meanwhile, at Camp Delgado here yesterday after the flag-raising ceremony, Felix awarded the following:
* Medalya ng Kadakilaan – to Police Captain Ryan Christ Inot of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit and Police Major Kenneth Jay Gratones for their accomplishment in the anti-drugs campaign
* Medalya ng Kagalingan – to Police Captain Gelbert Batiles for implementing an arrest warrant against the region’s No. 1 most wanted person
* Medalya ng Papuri – to Police Captain Felimon Espinosa for the anti-illegal fishing campaign
* Posthumous Medalya ng Kadakilaan – to Corporal Reo Nograles Manero, who died while doing a casing against a drug personality; the award was received by Manero’s widow, Aiza.
Felix also awarded certificates of appreciation to other PNP partners on law enforcement and later joined PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky in a tree-planting activity on Camp Delgado’s grounds./PN
