AFP TOLD NOT TO OVERREACT TO ALLEGED DESTABILIZATION THREATS CAUSED BY BROADBAND CONTROVERSY

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Nene" Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today dared Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to show proof of an alleged fresh destabilization attempt by renegade soldiers, and to identify the group and military officers behind such move.

In the absence of any credible proof, Pimentel said the counter-measures taken by the AFP, including the supposed relief or reassignment of six junior officers, may just be overreactions that are causing unnecessary alarm and tension that is not good for the nation.

He cautioned Gen. Esperon against blaming the controversy over the anomalous national broadband network contract now being investigated by the Senate for the alleged restiveness among the military and new destabilization plot.

"Sometimes, they are just overreacting and there are no plausible reasons for their actions," Pimentel said.

On the reported sacking of six junior officers for allegedly recruiting troops for the destabilization plot, the minority leader said it would be unfair to impose such sanction upon them on the basis of mere suspicion.

Pimentel said any perception of witchhunt of military officers based on unsubstantiated allegations could merely spawn unrest and divisiveness in the AFP.

He also noted that Esperon's claim about the alleged destabilization attempt was contrary to the statement of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro that no such attempt has been monitored by the AFP.

In fact, Pimentel said Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino chief of the Philippine Marines, reported that his command has not monitored any unauthorized or suspicious troop movements.

Meanwhile, Pimentel criticized the deployment of soldiers in main arteries in Metro Manila to man checkpoints.

He said that under the Constitution, it is only the Philippine National Police, and not the AFP, that should put up and man such checkpoints.

Pimentel said the conspicuous presence of uniform soldiers in full battle gear manning checkpoints in the metropolis is not only unlawful but also distasteful to the citizens because it creates the impression or a creeping militarization.