ZAMBOANGA CITY, 17 January 2004 — A dangerous and a growing dissension in the military rank and file is slowly brewing in the southern Philippines and some officials are not happy over the role Defense chief Eduardo Ermita would play in the presidential elections in May.
President Gloria Arroyo, who is seeking another six-year term, has named Ermita as her chief campaign manager and many military officials are not happy about this.
Many officials, mostly from the Philippine Army, wanted Ermita to resign so as not to influence the military. Soldiers were also taking seriously Ermita’s role in the elections if he will continue as the the country’s defense secretary.
With Armed Forces chief General Narciso Abaya going around giving orders to soldiers to stay neutral, Ermita said there was nothing suspicious or wrong about him being appointed as Arroyo’s chief campaign manager.
“Ermita should resign as defense chief and spare the AFP from further damage, anyway many military officials don’t like him because of his political inclinations,” a senior army official, who asked not to be named, told the Arab News yesterday.
Ermita, a former congressman, was also the subject of discontent among many foot soldiers in the south.
“Our commanders are telling us always to stay neutral, but Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita has revealed his true colors. He is not a credible leader anymore and he should step down immediately,” an army sergeant said in a separate inteview.
