Aquino stresses govt is determined to find truth behind AFP controversy
Fort Del Pilar, BAGUIO CITY -- President Benigno S. Aquino III on Saturday stressed that his administration is bent on unearthing the truth in the controversy hounding the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and vowed to punish those who are found guilty.
“In the interest of the Filipino people, it is our duty to find the truth behind this controversy. Our point is clear: If there is enough evidence to pin down those guilty, it is our duty to file cases against them,” the President, speaking in Pilipino, said in his message at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming 2011 at the Borromeo Field here.
He stressed that he supports the investigations into the alleged corruption within the military.
"I fully support the investigation and I trust that those conducting the investigation are one with us," he said.
The President said that all those involved in the controversial plea bargaining agreement between military comptroller Carlos Garcia and the state prosecutors must be held accountable.
He also said that he felt the low morale of the troops being their Commander-in- Chief and that what has happened was no joke.
Without naming names, the Chief Executive also criticized some witnesses who evaded questions or did not remember particular incidents which asked about them.
"I don’t think they’re too old to be forgetful," he noted.
He reiterated that the investigation must yield results and those behind the controversies must be made accountable.
"Pag may ginawang kalokohan, dapat pagbayaran [One must pay for any anomaly that was committed]," the President added saying that it was part of the government's mandate to uphold the interest of the people.
He also promised to beef up housing projects for the military and police with no less than 20,000 houses made available for military and police personnel.
The President said he will continue to support the military and the police as he still believes in the core values taught at the PMA—courage, integrity and loyalty.
He vowed to find solutions to the present problems of the military, at the same time, he reminded the cavaliers that when they enrolled at Asia’s premier military academy, they had accepted the challenge of serving their country and that they were willing to sacrifice for it.
He added that the same thing happened to him when he decided to run for President and eventually won.
He said that now that they are in this situation, it is right to ask oneself if you are part of the problem or part of the solution.
“Every problem has a solution. We shall see the system that works for the better and correct whatever is wrong with the existing system,” he stressed. (PCOO)
