Aquino to Angue: Follow your commander-in-chief

Just follow the orders of the commander-in-chief. President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III had these words for Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue, who was relieved as commander of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCom) and transferred to a supposedly lower position. Angue's relief came days after he disclosed that some senior military officers allegedly engaged in partisan activities during the May 10 elections. "Parte ho ng papel ko [bilang] commander-in-chief, siya po ang subordinate ko, desisyon ko po ‘yun sumunod siya — ganon lang ka-simple ‘yun (Part of my role is being commander-in-chief, he is my subordinate, hence he should follow my decision—it's that simple)," Aquino said at a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday. Aquino said he could not allow subordinates in the military to contest every move, pointing out that most of those in the Armed Forces adhere to the principle that subordinates should submit to the command of those with higher positions. At a press conference on Monday, Angue expressed his disappointment over the AFP’s decision to designate him as commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Westmincom) Command based in Zamboanga City. He said he views the designation as a "demotion" because his assignment at at the NCRCom is a three-star position, making him eligible for promotion to vice admiral. His new assignment is only a two-star position. Also on Wednesday, military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., who earlier said that Angue could be investigated for possible insubordination, disclosed that the Philippine Navy is currently investigating the outspoken officer. "He is a senior officer and his actions are being watched closely," said Mabanta, who has previously denied Angue's allegation of politicking in the Armed Forces. "His true color is showing," Mabanta said. "What he has done recently, he is self-destructing." — RSJ, GMANews.TV