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PMA to follow chain of command

Amid political turmoil

BAGUIO CITY (July 15) — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and its almost 2,000 cadets undergoing military officers’ training here vow to follow the chain of command.

Thus, declared PMA Spokesperson Lt. Senior Grade Alvin Lopez in an interview on Friday as he dismissed insinuations that the political turmoil embroiling the nation is severely affecting even the premier military training institution in the country.

“We will follow the chain of command,” reiterated Lopez as he confirmed that even the cadets are discussing the Gloriagate issues and recent developments in Manila.

“They are always within the ambit of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Even as we are allowing cadets to discuss during their classes the issues, they are within the bounds of the Constitution,” Lopez reiterated.

“Pro-Constitution kami,” (We support the Constitution) Lopez added as he claimed that the PMA leadership and the cadet corps who yet have to meet for the particular issues to discuss a common stand. Even without that, Lopez said, the PMAyer will have to follow the chain of command emanating from Chief of Staff Efren Abu.

Classes and operations at the premier military training institution remain normal, Lopez said as he bared that they have downgraded their alert status from red to white since Thursday. “Nothing beyond the ordinary is happening here,” the PMA spokesperson said.

Lopez also claimed that the PMA leadership and the cadets are not in anyway affected by the expose of Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson involving former AFP Chief of Staff Joselin Nazareno, a PMA alumnus. According to the so-called wiretapped “X Tapes” Nazareno had a phone talks with ousted President Joseph Estrada over election on goings and a planned assassination attempt against certain “Tanda” and “Pandak”.

“Retired na siya,” (He has been retired) Lopez shrugged off. He claims that Nazareno, who was allegedly involved in yet another poll and national security issue, has no influence anymore with the PMA administration and the cadets.

Lopez reiterated that they will go on with their mandated mission of training future military and civilian leaders of the country and vowed to protect the Philippine Constitution. Our rule, Lopez insisted, is to follow the Constitution. # Artemio A. Dumlao for NORDIS

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