Angue could face probe for 'insubordination,' AFP says

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday said Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue could face investigation for his comments to the media on his being relieved as commander of the National Capital Region Command (NCRCom), which the military deemed as "bordering on insubordination." At a press conference on Monday, Angue expressed his disappointment over the AFP’s decision which he views as a "demotion" because his assignment at at the NCRCom is a three-star position, making him eligible for promotion to vice admiral. However, his new assignment is only a two-star position. However, the military leadership did not take Angue's public outburst lightly. Less than an hour after the press conference, military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Joze Mabanta Jr. said Angue’s comments were "uncalled for," and that the Navy officer could face investigation for airing his grievances publicly. "We view such statements as bordering on insubordination and violation of the AFP Code of Ethics, Article 5, Section 4.3. paragraph 4.3.12 (Unethical Acts) in the airing of grievances through tri-media, destroying the image of the AFP," Mabanta said.

Mabanta said Angue's statements "are currently being assessed and will be used as basis for further investigations. However, the other issues he brought up are also being considered by the AFP leadership, and will serve as a basis for AFP’s action." Grievance system "The Grievance System is an active component within the military organization, and Rear Admiral Angue himself knows that complaints are coursed through such mechanism. Every soldier is aware that while issues and grievances may be relevant, there are legal means and proper forum to address them. The correct process must be followed," he added. Angue was one of those who exposed alleged politicking by senior military officers during the May 10 elections. He has been designated as commander of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (Westmincom) Command based in Zamboanga City. Angue was relieved from his post on August 12. Maj. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, outgoing commander of the 8th Infantry Division, is expected to take over his post although no date yet has been announced for the formal turnover rites. According to Mabanta, the new designations are in support of the "transformation advocacy" of the commander-in-chief, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. "All these, without exemption, have passed through a stringent process – from the Major Services, to the Board of Generals, all the way to the President’s approval. To disobey such orders constitute defiance to the chain-of-command and not in consonance with AFP norms," Mabanta said. Another coup? Angue alleged that the decision involved the AFP and Defense Department, and said that a coup d'etat like the ones during former president Corazon Aquino's time are not unlikely if discontentment and demoralization continue in the AFP. "Inannounce ni Mabanta sa inyo that I will be relieved at nilagyan pa ng justification na this is not a demotion, I am laterally being transferred, para tuloy lumalabas na nagaambisyon ako ng di ko dapat pagambisyonan. And that's the reason why sabi ko sasagutin ko ito sa harap ninyo dahil sa inyo rin naman nila sinabi ito," he said. Before the press conference, Angue bade his troops farewell. In his emotional speech, he said he performed his duties as a soldier and that he has no problem with being assigned anywhere, as long as it is not a demotion and it does not tarnish his military career which spans over 30 years. Despite this, he said he is ready to accept the AFP’s decision. (See: Angue bids men farewell, cites clean polls as biggest legacy) — VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV