ZAMBOANGA CITY, 1 September 2003 - Military officials and civic groups in the southern Philippines want President Gloria Arroyo to consider naming Jesus Dureza, her presidential adviser for Mindanao Affairs, as the new defense chief.
Soldiers who talked with Arab News in a random interview said they favor Dureza, a former congressman in Davao City and a lawyer by profession, because of his role in the peace process.
Dureza headed the government’s panel that had been holding peace negotiations with the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
He was forced to quit from the panel a few months ago upon the demand of the MILF, which complained that he unilaterally made marginal notes in a cease-fire agreement signed by panels from both sides.
His supporters, however, said Dureza’s wide experience in promoting peace in Mindanao would make him fit for the defense portfolio, which had been vacated with the resignation of retired Gen. Angelo Reyes.
Reyes’ resigned last week, saying he wanted to spared the Defense Department from “unfair criticisms.”
Reyes’ resignation was among the demand of junior military officers who launched a faild coup attempt on July 27, accusing him of failing to stop corruption in the armed forces.
Lawmakers in Manila have said the next defense chief should be from the civilian sector to avoid any attempts to meddle in the affairs of the armed forces. Other also being considered by politicians to be the next defense chief are former military chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
Sen. Manuel Villar said he is introducing a law that would put a civilian at the leadership of the DND. And there were also suggestions that former military officials could only be appointed as DND chief five years after they retire.
Basilan Rep. Gerry Salapuddin, House of Representatives deputy speaker for Mindanao, also said it’s time to stop the appointment of retired generals to the top defense post.
“My point is that the next defense secretary should be a civilian to pursue the constitutional principle of civilian supremacy over the military,” Salapuddin said.
Security officials in the southern Philippines have pledged support to the Arroyo government even with the resignation of Reyes.
“The resignation of Secretary Reyes is a great loss to the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. nevertheless, the Southern Command remains very strong and solid as an organization,” Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Kyamko said in a statement.
