Few journos make sense of military shake-up

This Week in Media (January 9 to 15, 2023)

IT WAS not easy to sort out the coverage of the cycle of appointments, re-appointments and resignations, but a sudden shuffle in the high positions of the military always suggests a restive mood among uniformed men – never a good sign, of different kinds of trouble brewing in government. Whatever, the media seemed at a loss as to what to make of what was going on. 

Even rendering the chronology tested the capacity of reporters to be clear, as in this paragraph following the lead of a January 8 news account about Gen. Andres Centino, calling a stop to the “squabbling” among troops: “ He replaced his military academy classmate, Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, who took over as the country’s top military commander when he was unceremoniously booted out and left in a floating status by President Marcos five months earlier.” 

The day before, January 7, Centino had just been re-appointed as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). But most readers would have had to do a review of who was what in the AFP since Marcos took office. 

There was no effort to clarify the background of what was an unexpected development. A President is expected to place his own choice in this important post. Centino was on holdover position from the previous administration. The appointment of Bacarro was made in August 2022. But the re-appointment and replacement on January 7 was unexpected and unexplained. 

The media also included in their accounts that the change of command ceremony was held indoors instead of the AFP grandstand where the event has been traditionally held. The absence of the country’s civilian authorities, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Jose Faustino Jr., Department of Defense (DND) Officer-in-Charge, was also noted in the story. The report also included Centino’s defense of the law fixing the term for AFP officers for three years which was passed during the Duterte administration. 

It noted rumors about resignations by a number of military and defense officials to protest Bacarro’s removal from and Centino’s return to office. Other media picked up more rumors on alleged destabilization plans stemming from group chats of police and military, making this the main angle of their stories. An internal memorandum was leaked online, saying the Philippine National Police (PNP) was on heightened alert following alleged mass resignations within the DND. Photos of armored vehicles inside Camp Crame, the PNP’s headquarters, also circulated online.

Any perceived instability within the armed forces is cause for concern and the media have a responsibility to provide information on what such a development means. But reporters could only record what came to them as official statements. The PNP quickly dispelled rumors of a possible coup in a press conference, saying they were only on heightened alert in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9. For its part, the AFP’s Public Information Office told several media in separate messages that there was no truth to destabilization plots and everything was “normal” in Camp Aguinaldo. 

Media carried the news of resignation of Faustino as DND OIC, with TV news picking up on the Palace’s confirmation on January 9 and print reporting the same on January 10. 

Both Inquirer and Star gave the resignation banner treatment, while other papers highlighted Marcos’ appointment of Ret. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. as new DND secretary. Both reports said the Palace did not elaborate on Faustino’s reason for quitting his post. But the Inquirer cited rumors about the OIC being kept out of the loop about Centino’s quick oath-taking and the “sudden exit” of Bacarro. The same report gave more detail citing statements that President Marcos had made in June last year about Faustino being his choice for DND Secretary, but that he had to observe the one-year ban on appointing of retired military officers. 

Inquirer also followed up with a story on January 11 which confirmed with a quote the rumored grievance of Faustino. It also included reference to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin disputing Faustino’s complaint, insisting that the latter knew – without saying how or when the DND OIC received the information. The same report went further with an unidentified “senior administration official” who confirmed Faustino was not informed, a move described by the source as a “no-no…The process was bastardized.” 

Problematic appointment process?

Other media simply followed official statements, with little reference to long-established processes of appointments, much of which was to establish the chain of command from civilian to military. This deserved to be top story and more.

Media however must unpack the issues involved, rather than try and include various points and issues in the same discussion. The President proved inadequate to the demands of the process of appointments and their protocols. The executive decision-making process was at fault, seemingly oblivious to the military’s institutional culture and tradition. 

The AFP is under civilian command, exercising their authority in a sphere of competence that is their own; any President is well-advised to deal with the AFP with much attention, asking questions and trying to understand the issues of security that is the core of their expertise. He cannot afford to do less. 

The appointment of Bacarro and the return of Centino displays the President’s lack of attention that such a sensitive office deserves. 

When Bacarro was appointed in August 2022, media cited the Palace’s description that he is the first to serve under the fixed three-year term mandated by Republic Act 11709, which was enacted in May 2022. But in reporting Centino’s return as Chief of Staff to replace Bacarro, reports made no reference to the same law. Inquirer only mentioned it since Centino himself raised the issue, as context to his call to stop the military “squabbling.” Reports had no immediate mention of the law’s provision that the tour of duty can still be terminated early by the President, who has the prerogative to do so.

The clumsy appointments made to this high office should be discussed separately from the issue of a fixed term of three years.

Speculations due to presidential silence

Ret. Gen. Rodolfo Biazon, himself a former AFP Chief of Staff with personal experience of military dissidence and coup plotters, was pointed in his identification of the real problem with the shake-up. Speaking in separate interviews on ANC and ONE News, Biazon said the President has not given any clear answers, which has led to talk about the restive military. Asked by ANC anchor Mike Navallo whether a coup was brewing, Biazon answered: “This situation requires a lot of clear answers or it will help to continue the chaos or what you call confusion.”  

Biazon said there was no explanation for the replacement of Centino in August when he was not retirable yet, as well as the firing of Bacarro who ended up being replaced by his predecessor. Biazon said while there is presidential prerogative, Marcos still owes the military and the public a clear explanation.

The retired general also raised a significant fact that media have missed. RA 11709 which sets fixed terms still has no Implementing Rules and Regulations, despite being enacted in May 2022.

Asked by Navallo whether President Marcos should be the one explaining the changes in military leadership, Biazon did not directly say yes or no, but said it was a curious thing that Marcos skipped the turnover ceremony, during which plans for national defense by the new chief are usually discussed.

Biazon told Navallo and the anchors of ONE News’ The Chiefs that he believes the AFP is professional enough that no destabilization or coup would happen. He said the lower-ranking military do not really take issue with whoever is leading them, as long as the AFP Chief is not confused about his or her responsibility and where his or her loyalties lie. 

Manny Mogato in his PressONE.ph column recalled that Marcos Sr. had difficulties dealing with the military when he extended the tours of duty of generals who were not PMA alumni. This led to the formation of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), which spearheaded the mutiny that eventually ousted Marcos Sr. in 1986.

As for Ret. Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in his Manila Times column, the concern is fundamental: “The country is still facing serious security threats — foreign and domestic. We cannot afford a military with a divided focus. The enemies that are lurking around us are laughing at us.”

What about the responsibility of the Chief Executive and the Commander-in-Chief himself? Unfortunately, the media did not seem ready to provide news and information to show how in this instance, once again, the buck stops at the high office of the President.