THE coming national elections next year will once again put to test the tenacity and dedication to service of the nation’s soldiers.
All personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are expected to remain apolitical in this coming elections, which is why this early, AFP chief Gen. Jose Faustino Jr. had to remind them of their legal mandate.
Faustino said non-partisanship had been instilled in every member of the AFP, whatever their branch of service. He assured the public that the military will support other law enforcement agencies to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct of elections.
‘Politicians always court the
regional or provincial military
commanders to their side, and
the same is true with the police.’
The chief of staff said he has issued a directive reminding government soldiers to avoid dipping their hands into political affairs, adding that he is confident that his personnel will abide by his directive.
In every election, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) partners with the AFP to maintain peace and order all throughout the campaign period and on election day itself. The Comelec allocates a certain budget for the soldiers as an incentive, in the same manner that public school teachers are asked to render polling duties in exchange for allowances.
The temptation for soldiers and officers to side with certain politicians is indeed formidable, since aside from the police, they are the only organized holders of legal firearms during elections. Their very presence in an area, even without ordering people around or influencing the process of voting, is already intimidating. Politicians always court the regional or provincial military commanders to their side, and the same is true with the police. This usually happens if the political contest is so keen that rivals are open to employing anything just to win.
In the face of all these, General Faustino assured the nation: “We remain professional and we respect our mandate.”
We can only hope so.
