Dela Rosa: Graduated age of retirement may stir controversy anew in AFP

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Monday warned that the proposed graduated age of compulsory retirement of military officers may cause another "rumbling" within the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The lawmaker raised this during the period of interpellation on Senate Bill 1849 which seeks to limit the coverage of the three-year fixed term in the AFP.

Under the proposed measure, the compulsory age of retirement for one-star generals is 57;  two-star generals is 58; three-star generals is 59 but if the officer is occupying a tenured key position, the maximum tour of duty will take precedence.

SB 1849 proposed that the tour of duty will be limited to five tenured key officers:
-AFP chief of staff: maximum tour of duty of three years
-Philippine Military Academy superintendent: maximum tour of duty of four years
-Commanding generals of the Philippine Army and Philippine Air Force, and flag officer of the Philippine Navy: tour of duty of two years

"May nakikita lang akong kaunting medyo magiging source na naman ng another rumbling, particularly, the provision 'yung retirement age," Dela Rosa said.

Citing his experience in the Philippine National Police, Dela Rosa said some military officers might question why they will be forced to retire at the age of 56 when other star generals are allowed to serve for a longer period.

"Nakikita ko is magkakaroon ito ng inequality on the tiyansa ng isang official. Baka sabihin ng mga colonel 'Bakit kaming maga colonel mag-retire at the age of 56?'" Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, said.

He then suggested setting a certain retirement age for all AFP officers.

"Why not gawin na lang nating uniform? Ibalik sa dati na 56 lahat kami mag-retire para pantay-pantay kaming lahat [at] para maobserve talaga natin yung equal protection [clause] of law," he suggested.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, sponsor of the measure, explained that the provision on the retirement age under SB 1849 was agreed upon during a consultation with several junior and senior officers of the AFP.

Should Dela Rosa push to amend the provision, Estrada said he would need another consultation with the military officers.

Dela Rosa said he will not propose setting a certain age for the mandatory retirement and he just wants to make it "across the board."

In response, Estrada said he will accept Dela Rosa's amendments should the latter propose it at the proper time.

SB 1849 seeks to amend Republic Act 11709 which grants three-year fixed terms for key AFP officials, including the chief of staff.

But RA 11709 had "unintended consequences" which resulted in "rumblings" within the military ranks, according to Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez. Jr.

The measure which seeks to prevent the "revolving door policy" in the AFP was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte months before he stepped down from office.

Last December, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has certified House Bill 6517, which seeks to amend RA 11709, as urgent.

Marcos said the bill will further enhance the policies and initiatives towards maintaining a responsive and professional AFP personnel.

HB 6517 has already been passed by the House of Representatives on third and final reading.—LDF, GMA Integrated News