Biazon: ‘Heed soldiers’ gripes over Palace cash doleouts’
By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Michael Lim Ubac
Inquirer
Last updated 10:16pm (Mla time) 10/17/2007
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Rodolfo Biazon said on Wednesday Malacañang should take seriously a warning that disgruntled soldiers could stage a mutiny and spark a civil war, noting that the allegations of hefty bribes could fuel unrest among troops still awaiting a promised combat pay increase.
Major General Benjamin Dolorfino, Philippine Marine commandant, on Tuesday said allegations that lawmakers and local officials received bribes of up to P500,000 in Malacañang in the midst of a fresh initiative to impeach President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had affected the rank and file.
Dolorfino said that although there was no grumbling, he could not rule out unrest in the military that could lead to a civil war.
“It may be true what he said about rank and file being affected,” Biazon said at a press conference on Wednesday.
“They will definitely be affected considering what the soldiers know. They have been informed abut the cash gifts. The soldiers know this and yet they were being told they cannot get combat pay because there are no funds. Put yourself in the shoes of soldiers, what would you think?’’ the senator said.
Biazon, a former chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Marine commandant, noted that Dolorfino’s statement about the Malacañang gifts ostensibly contradicted a claim by Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. that the government had no funds to pay for the soldiers.
“Ten Marines have already been decapitated and they were promised a P150 increase in combat pay. They are waiting for that and now comes the chief of staff saying they cannot be paid,’’ Biazon said.
The senator said conflicting statements by two high-ranking military officials led to a confusion among soldiers on who they should believe.
“This is a policy question. Who is lying -- the commandant of Marines or chief of staff? Only one can be true,” said Biazon.
Biazon said this confusion mirrored the contradictory statements of Malacañang officials in explaining the cash gifts, which they initially denied and later admitted, then they claimed that the money was private and not public, and therefore not subject to scrutiny.
“The government must provide a credible and logical explanation to all these issues otherwise, God forbid, the prophesy of Major General Dolorfino warning the possibility of a civil war erupting could become a reality. That is very disturbing,’’ he said.
In Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye played down Dolorfino’s warning.
Bunye said it was business as usual for Arroyo who toured on Wednesday Camiguin province, Agusan del Sur and Butuan City to check the status of her projects and preside over a conference for peace and development.
Presidential Political Adviser and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who was present during the news conference, said there was no credible threat to Arroyo and that there was no need for her “to solicit expression of support.”
“There is no question in anybody’s mind that the majority in the House is loyal and supportive of the President,” Puno said, claiming that “almost all local officials are loyal and supportive of the President.”
Puno said political support for Arroyo was not an issue, but there was only a “communication problem because these things coming out have been exploding all over the place.”
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