The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) lambasted the military establishment for the rampant corruption in its ranks and while the Major General Carlos Garcia case has just started, another controversy has again been exposed, this time regarding the P100-P300 million golden parachute retirement package for its outgoing chiefs of staff. According to Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group, “this golden parachute package is really outrageous and runs smack of the unprofessionalism of the AFP, as well as its mercenary character. While its soldiers’ and junior officers are treated like cannon fodder its higher officers are feasting on the loot. With this type of a military institution it is no wonder that they do not care of the human rights violations committed against civilians as long as they get the money and perks that they want,”

“This revelation also comes from active and retired officers of the AFP itself, which means that there is evidence that this occurs and what is needed is to know how long has this been going on and that the officers involved should be punished. It is natural for former Chief of Staff Gen. Dionisio Santiago to deny it because his neck is on the line. A full blown investigation must be launched to get to the bottom of this,”

As for his part Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer of KMP “the angle that the revolving policy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo started or aggravated this outrage should also be thoroughly exhausted. We do not believe that the chief of staff can do it on his own without the blessing from his superiors,”

“Just look at how many chiefs of staff the AFP had in the past 3 years, the number is 5 and it is soon to be 6. The “pabaon” really is more of a hefty send-off not only of the military establishment to its chief of staff but of the regime as well for being loyal to its commander in chief who has a very tedious hold on power and towing the repressive line of the government, who needs the AFP as a paid goon. We must immediately punch holes unto this golden parachute because millions has already been lost and no one was punished” ended Ala. # # #
 

KMP - 25 October 2004