Ebdane classmate is DND spokesman

A retired military general and classmate of Defense chief Hermogenes Ebdane at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has been designated as spokesperson of the defense department. In Department Order 42, Defense Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina was named DND spokesman effective February 15. Carolina, a retired three-star general, is concurrently undersecretary for civil, veterans and reserve affairs. "As DND spokesman, Carolina is responsible for delivering official statements for the secretary and the department; (and) responding to local and foreign media queries," a statement signed by DND Public Affairs chief Rosulo Manlangit said. Also stated in Carolina’s task is to establish linkages with the public information officers of the Armed Forces and other DND bureaus and employment of "communication procedures in conveying messages to the public." Carolina also represents the DND in the presidential human rights committee, an advisory body tasked to address human rights concerns in the Philippines. Both Ebdane and Carolina are products of PMA Class 1970. Carolina retired as Armed Forces deputy chief of staff in 2004. He also held the position of Armed Forces Southern Command. Previous DND spokespersons include retired Air Force general Melchor Rosales. Rosales is now with the Environment department. The appointment of a DND spokesman came two weeks after an annoyed Ebdane berated a female reporter from a Japanese television when he assumed the defense portfolio on February 1. At the time, the reporter asked Ebdane on the necessity of holding seminars for soldiers on their roles in elections, particularly on the insulation of the uniformed service from partisan politics. To which, Ebdane retorted: "What’s your problem…I suggest that you look at the mandate of the Comelec, the mandate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the memorandum of agreement that was signed and you will understand." Days later, Carolina faced the media to clarify Ebdane’s statement. - GMANews.TV