Military warns political opposition against holding talks with soldiers

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday warned the political opposition against holding dialogues with soldiers supposedly to explain the opposition’s take on the country’s political situation. Col. Tristan Kison, AFP public information office chief, said the political opposition should secure permission from field commanders before talking to soldiers. “On the first place, they are not within the chain of command, so if they intend to talk to us or talk to our soldiers in the field, they need to ask the permission of the commanders," Kison said. When asked what the military would do if opposition personalities hold talks with soldiers without permission, Kison said: “We will make the necessary action." President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo started holding dialogues with soldiers after the reported failed plan by some sectors of the military to oust her from power. House minority leader Francis Escudero on Monday said the political opposition would seek a separate dialogue with military personnel so that the troops would hear two sides of the issues. “Our soldiers would hear only one side of the story and their doubts on certain issues would linger if we are prohibited from talking to them…We assure them that we will not do anything illegal. We are not destabilizers as the administration claims," said Escudero. The political opposition is among the sectors tagged by the military of involvement in the plot to overthrow the Arroyo administration. Also allegedly involved in the conspiracy are rightist and leftist groups. Kison said the AFP is anticipating various groups to press for the ouster of the President. “They will continue to push with their plot and we will remain vigilant…Of course there would always be attempts to go on and push through with their plans," he said. Kison said the military also expects some sectors to instigate soldiers to join destabilization moves. “[The military] is the target because we are (a) strong pillar that holds the nation…If we break (the chain of command), the whole institution, the whole organization collapses," he said. Kison agreed the military can make or break the government, “that’s the reason why they (destabilizers) are trying to make a crack at the AFP." – GMANews.TV