By Ines B. Tagacay
“NO LOYALTY check.” This was what three top ranking officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said when asked if the reason for their frequent visits in the province was due to reports that soldiers here are being recruited to join the destabilization plot against President Arroyo.
Newly installed Philippine Air Force (PAF) commanding general Lt. Gen. Pedrito Cadungog, Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) commandant Maj. Gen. Benjamin Dolorfino and Vice Adm. Rogelio Calunsag of the Philippine Navy (PN) were the three high ranking military officials of the country who recently visited Palawan amid reports that retired military officials are going around the country to enlist soldiers to join them in an alleged grand plan to bring down the Arroyo administration.
Cadungog who graced the 35th Anniversary of the 570th Composite Tactical Wing (CTW) in the province on February 2 said his visit was not because he wants to do a “loyalty check” but because he wanted to join in the celebration.
Commenting on the question however, the top ranking PAF official vowed he will not turn his back against the Arroyo administration no matter what happens, even if he’s killed. “This time, they will have to kill me first or I kill them,” he said as a matter of fact.
Cadungog warned that if any of the PAF men in Palawan joins the destabilization plot, they will have to answer to the rule of law. He is positive that the soldiers in the PAF are intact and remain loyal to the commander-in-chief.
On February 5, it was Dolorfino who arrived in Palawan. He too denied that his visit was because he was making sure the Marines remain loyal to President Arroyo.
Dolorfino said he’s in Palawan to join the GRP-JMC in conducting a seminar workshop on Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) for the Marines of Marine Battalion Landing Team 9.
Next who visited on February 6 was the Philippine Navy’s flag officer in command, Vice Adm. Rogelio Calunsag. Like Cadungog and Dolorfino, he too denied that he’s in Palawan to do “loyalty check.”
But Calunsag was here to attend the turnover ceremony at the Naval Forces West and to send off the Layag-Lakbayan 2008.
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