PRESIDENT PARDONS MUTINEERS, NEW ARMED FORCES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001144 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2018 TAGS: MARR MASS MCAP PREL RP SUBJECT: PRESIDENT PARDONS MUTINEERS, NEW ARMED FORCES CHIEF SHUNS PARTISAN POLITICS REF: MANILA 881: COUP PLOTTERS CONVICTION WARNING AGAINST MILITARY ADVENTURISM Classified By: Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During a change of command ceremony for the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces on May 12, President Arroyo announced she would pardon nine military officers for their involvement in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny, a recommendation made by outgoing Armed Forces Chief General Hermogenes Esperon. The announcement came during the ascension of General Alexander Yano -- most recently Philippine Army chief and reputed to be insulated from political scandals -- to the Philippine military's top post. Media and insiders have speculated that Yano's tenure will be a new beginning for the Armed Forces, one that focuses on the renunciation of "military adventurism" and shields the military from involvement in partisan politics. Yano, the first native of Mindanao to serve as Armed Forces Chief, has fought both communist and Muslim insurgencies during a career in which he has served throughout the Philippines. In his speech, Yano emphasized that the military will continue to pursue vigorously the campaign against terrorism and insurgency, with a clear commitment to upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights at all times. He also voiced support for continued defense reform and providing a security environment in which economic development can flourish. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- PRESIDENT PARDONS MUTINEERS, AFP CHIEF PLEDGES LOYALTY -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) At the change of command ceremony for the Philippine Chief of the Armed Forces May 12, President Gloria Arroyo formally announced a pardon for nine soldiers who pleaded guilty to coup charges and served five years in detention for their role in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny (reftel). The pardon was in response to a recommendation made by outgoing Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces General Hermogenes Esperon. While media called the pardon "a gift to Esperon for loyal service," Esperon believed that reintegrating the soldiers into the military would send a positive message and soften the stance of hardliners, weakening support among junior officers for insurrection. At the ceremony, incoming Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano -- seen by many insiders as being free of political baggage, an accusation that stalked Esperon -- pledged his loyalty to the Philippine constitution and his full support to President Arroyo as commander-in-chief. In his first public comments as Armed Forces Chief, Yano said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have the moral and legal responsibility to serve as a "defender of the nation, protector of democracy, and servant of the people," but that they would continue "abhorrence and renunciation of military adventurism of any sort." -------------- "YOUR LABOR SHALL NOT BE IN VAIN" -------------- ¶3. (C) As Esperon handed over the reins to Yano, he reflected on the accomplishments of his 22-month term, highlighting the successes the AFP has enjoyed against communist insurgents of the New People's Army and Muslim terrorists of the Abu Sayyaf Group, and progress in the peace process in Mindanao. Esperon thanked the USG for its assistance in making Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago "inhospitable to terrorists, whether local or foreign." Yano, the first Chief of Staff from restive Mindanao and often described by military and civilian officials alike as a "soldier's soldier," lauded Esperon's achievements against the dual insurgencies, saying "we are daunted by the challenge of duplicating your feat." But Yano confidently promised that the timetable for dismantling the communist guerrilla fronts by 2010 as mandated by President Arroyo would be met. Addressing Esperon, he said: "Your labor shall not be in vain. The enemies of democracy shall be decimated. As scheduled. As promised." -------------- COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING RULE OF LAW -------------- MANILA 00001144 002 OF 002 ¶4. (C) Despite strong promises to pursue terrorists "with even more vigor," Yano was unambiguous in his commitment to upholding the rule of law, "even in the face of the fiercest battles." Following up such statements with concrete actions will be key for Yano to establish himself as someone who promotes respect for human rights at all levels in the Armed Forces and for him to have success implementing reforms begun under Esperon to clean up the military's image as a human rights violator. -------------- SOLIDARITY WITH REFORM INITIATIVES -------------- ¶5. (C) As a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1976, Yano enjoys a particularly close relationship with Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, an adopted member of the class and Air Force reserve officer. Yano is well known to the Ambassador and the Embassy, and the mission has had an excellent relationship with him throughout his career -- most recently in his position as Commanding General of the Army, in which he was active in Philippine Defense Reform. During his address, Yano voiced his gratitude for Secretary Teodoro's pursuit of numerous defense reforms and demonstrated a potential flair for management when he promised to further the relationship between the Defense Department and the Armed Forces and strengthen the ties with the local and national government. "A stronger AFP will spark more effective interagency partnerships in achieving genuine peace and development," Yano said. -------------- CLEARING AND PAVING THE ROAD TO GROWTH -------------- ¶6. (C) Recognizing President Arroyo's efforts to employ economic development as a tool against terrorism, Yano said the military was ready to "help create, enhance, and preserve the atmosphere and environment needed to make it easier for the forces of economic development to penetrate the areas in our country where progress is most needed." Yano cited the ability of the AFP to clear the road to economic growth of the "obstacles of terrorism and insurgency." At the same time, Yano said the AFP would continue its development role by bringing engineering and humanitarian assistance to regions where other government agencies were not yet able to operate. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) President Arroyo's appointment of General Yano as armed forces chief signals a willingness to eschew political connections and elevate a soldier widely viewed as a complete professional to the Philippine military's highest office. Citing "meritocracy," broad support among the military and government, and Yano's "glittering career," as the key reasons for his appointment, Arroyo also played a political card, remarking on Yano's status as the first Army Chief and AFP Chief from Mindanao. With a large crowd of heavyweights from Mindanao in the audience, including the Speaker of the House, congressmen, governors, mayors, and the politicians from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Arroyo charged Yano with bringing peace to his native Mindanao and promised to support him with the resources and political will to achieve that goal. Whether Yano achieves these lofty tasks will depend, in part, on his ability to navigate the political landscape in Manila and lead the Philippine military along a path of democracy. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/ KENNEY