I am COL JESUS LOMEDA JR of the Signal Corps. I will not hide in anonymity. I am writing this for the good of the AFP with an intention to be settled amongst our leaders. I know I will surely be “endorsed” and be reporting to SND and upperclassmen when this circulates . . .
When there is smoke, there is fire! The articles of Victor Reyes of Malaya and Sara Soliven-DeGuzman of Philippine Star entitled “Morale Destroyer” and “Does every soldier count”, respectively, are with basis. This may include the manifesto of the concerned officers, which I certainly have no part of nor read about it. My fear and suspicion became evident when the DND spokesman Eduardo Batac said, “It’s usually the case that when you are commander, you usually pick people to serve under you who have already worked with you, proven their worth and their track record. I think the people whom you see as (military) leaders to have worked under Secretary Gazmin have proven their worth”
My only regret is that I have never served directly under Sec Gazmin when he was still in the active military service. He was not able to observe me. He is known as a compassionate commander and a true fellow mason in the military circle. As I respect Sec Gazmin, I also respect the chain-of-command, especially the people who composed the Board-of-Senior-Officers (BOSO) of the Army, the Board-of Generals (BOG). On the other hand, most of them know me well. Perhaps we are all just victims of circumstances.
Before I present to you my case, let me tell you first about the Signal Corps. We are a very small group of highly technical people that gives the AFP Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4) capabilities. Not like other AFPOS, such as the infantry, cavalry, artillery and engineers where officers have many positions to occupy as generals; but the colonels of the Signal Corps have to form a single-file line to reach the apex of their careers (ideally from AJ6 → CEISSAFP → J6). If the one in front of you is younger, do not aspire anymore to go farther.
Let us now go to my story. In December of 2008, I was designated as the Army Internal Auditor (an O-7 position). After one year and four months, I was returned to the Signal conveyor as Assistant J6. All Signal officers await the retirement of BGEN BUTALID ’79, the Commander of CEISSAFP, by 27 August 2010. Two weeks before that, he openly announced in a meeting of CSAFP with all the officers of OJ6 that he is recommending me to succeed him. CSAFP also learned that I am more senior than the officer recommended by the Army and I have been holding an O-7 position for a long time already. For sure, he is also very much aware that I belong to Class ‘80 and I am really older even by age.
Then, the 4th wave of AFP designations came out in the newspaper. I was terribly knocked out as a contender! The new C,CEISSAFP is younger than me. To mention, J6 is also younger. So, there is no more reason and nothing is left for me to aspire for! I believe I have to leave the service!
What happened? This is the question I have been asking myself. I cannot find any sensible explanation as I inquire from the different members of the BOG. They too have no answers to give me. Like a good soldier, I am expected to keep quiet and just accept things as they are. Anyway, what can I, or even others do about it? NOTHING! For me, I just want to know my shortcomings so I can make some self-improvements and then move on as a civilian. I tried to seek a 2-minute audience with the CSAFP to ask him about my deficiencies but I was given a feeling that he does not want to be bothered and has no time to see me.
What to expect? I am sure there will be a complete denial regarding the existence of “favouritism” in the AFP. Expect again for a press statement that all appointments passed through the BOSO and BOG; and the SND has no hand on it. Instead of admitting, I fear unseen forces will be unleashed to bring me down. This is Strategic Communication in the AFP: Do not accept mistakes, blame others! My life will now be under deep scrutiny for offenses. I pray that the AFP spokesman and former classmate, Jolly M. ’81, will be kind to me! He would not compare me with Pol S. ’81, the new C,CEISSAFP and justify Pol’s designation by denigrating me. For all you know, all colonels in the Signal Corps are equally qualified and dreaming to lead that unit. I believe Pol will be a very good commander because I know his character. We were squadmates when we were plebes during the Beast Barracks. Most of all, his mettle has already been somehow tested by the SND. There is nothing bad I can say about him. Apparently, I do not want anymore his job. I lost. My original plan really is to retire by July 2011 (after getting the rank of general and the next trance of our salary increase because becoming J6 is out of the picture) in order to give way to Pol. This is how I care for him to repay his many good deeds to me. Dante C. ’80, my Mistah and the most senior aspirant but younger to Pol and me, knows about this. He already let me get ahead of him 3 years ago to assume in the Army as G6. BTW, the three of us are all company mates in Bessang, the other name for Alfa Company in 1976 at PMA. So, Dante will now benefit from my retirement, but I cannot guarantee him to be AJ6. You know why? He needs a very strong political backer unless we have a credible selection process involving ALL eligible candidates.
What is left for me? I do not know. I leave my fate to God!
Footnote:
Unprecedented, until this time . Let bygones be bygones. As a practising Cyber Security Professional now, I am only posting this essay to discuss what kind of cyber crime occurred here, nothing else. This piece of writing found its way in the cyberspace on 08 September 2010 for 3 days, at the personal Facebook Account of the Secretary of National Defense. JAGO filed a case against me and the Chief-of-Staff reprimanded me. For what offense did I do wrong? What do you think?
Cyber Arnis 
DEAN M. BERNARDO AUGUST 26, 2016 AT 2:29 AM EDIT
From: “DND – Dean M. Bernardo”
Date: September 12, 2010 at 12:40:22 GMT+8
To: Jess Lomeda
Subject: Re: False Hope
Dear Colonel
Its great to hear from you. I am also sorry to break your retreat and I wish I was also there since I too am Marian. I have been active with the Family Rosary Crusade since the early 90s and could have been a Salesian after high school and joined my brothers in Timor Leste.
I’ve read the Pata Massacre article and I am assuming that it was a first hand account. I could understand the experience that you went through but I can not be real to say – I could truly feel the horror of your experience as a 2Lt at that time. There could never be an acceptable reason for senseless deaths.
I do not believe that the Secretary or Gen David were offended. You sir is still is an officer and a gentleman and deserves the proper forum. Just between us, the public nature of your posting of your grievance could have been used by those who are already wanting to destroy the Armed Forces.
I would have to admit, being administrator of the public forums, it got our attention but even if it was just a private message, I would have transmitted it immediately with notations. My mandate as a public affairs staff of the SND is to collect and ensure every message and suggestion is acted upon by the concerned offices within the DND and into the AFP.
SND gave strict marching orders, public opinion is essential in crafting sensible policies and changing the old ways – and I ain’t saying & doing PR with you Sir. There is no act on suppressing issues but there are those who would love to destroy the Armed Forces again. For every good deed we do no one is ever satisfied and though there are problems within the system, we have to work on it and SND means it.
I am also thankful that you removed the posting on FB. There were no instructions to remove it or publicly censure you. Fact is, Col. Irreberri is also working on the grievance issue along with Gen. Mabanta and when the proper reports came in, we were to respond publicly if so required, not just for media or public hype.
Colonel, i won’t take up much of your time and break your retreat. I would like to ask your permission if I could transmit the copies of our communication to the SND, Gen. Mabanta, Col. Irreberri and my “commander” Col. Batac?
Thank you and hope to hear from you again.
Yours in Jesus and Mary,
DEAN
On Sun, Sep 12, 2010 at 4:18 AM, Jess Lomeda wrote:
Yes Dean, I’m on official leave here in Naga City for Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Peñafrancia. After the fiesta, the batch ’73 of the Holy Rosary Seminary will have a reunion – they pleaded that I attend. I will be back in Manila on the 23rd.
I always play by the rules. I am a good soldier and law abiding citizen. My son said that my PMA days were boring. I never experience to go on touring (punishment), take removals – having demerits or being deficient in my subjects. I never hazed anybody, always giving pep talks to the plebes. Dodong Irribiri ’83 and everybody can attest to that. You’ll later find out!
I could have given more to the AFP. I owe to the organization my Master’s Degree in Info Mgmt from Ateneo. I could have left early . . but waited to this day! Perhaps God really placed me in this situation to test my faith.
I’m sorry if I offended the SND and the CSAFP! This is the only way. I learned that the AFP Grievance Committee is only a media hype. There is a manual on this but all the people I inquired are also puzzled, even the people at OESPA. Anyway, I went through channel following the chain of command, J6-TDCS-VCSAFP-CSAFP, but the CSAFP doesn’t want to see me. Kung ikaw, what will you do?
If only my former Battalion Commander, the late Col Pangan’68, is alive today, he can surely vouch for me and talk to his classmate, Sec Gazmin.
I’m still in prayers attending a holy retreat . . . to end by joining the voyadores on the pagoda during the fluvial procession.
Sent from my iPhone
On Sep 11, 2010, at 10:42 PM, “DND – Dean M. Bernardo” wrote:
Good evening Sir;
With your permission to speak unofficially – I sent your FB posting/message immediately to the SND. He immediately asked for information on your status and service record and gave instructions to hear out your grievance. Based on what I was told, you left the service and this apparently had an effect on your track to promotion. I have no additional information on this matter but it is being looked into.
I also sent a message to your mistah, General Mabanta and he spoke to Col. Eduardo G. Batac, PAF (retired) (our DND Spokesman), Col. Hernando Irreberi, PA (the current Senior Military Adviser) and the Secretary. Gen. Mabanta said he will talk to you (and no adverse reaction) but you are on leave. You’re in Bicol?
Sir, what is it exactly your appeal and message. Sir, you have the leadership’s attention and they’re not seeing this as an act of insubordination (the way I sense it). I’ve known the SND for quite sometime and more than anything else, he is conscious on the welfare of all the men and women of the Armed Forces. I’m not speaking entirely as his PR guy, but Iguess you’ve seen the work he made in his brief 15 month stint as CGPA.
I am willing to bridge your appeals, thoughts if you think
On Sat, Sep 11, 2010 at 1:59 PM, Jess Lomeda wrote:
Thank you Dean for forwarding a copy of my sentiments to the SND. I’m now removing my posting. I hope and pray there will be changes. .
http://www.army.mil.ph/Pata/default.htm
Sent from my iPhone
—
DEAN M. BERNARDO
Office of the Secretary – Public Affairs
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
Camp Emilio Aguinaldo, EDSA cor. Boni Serrano, 802 Quezon City, NCR, Philippines
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http://www.philstar.com/opinion/604985/does-every-soldier-count
Does every soldier count?
By Sara Soliven De Guzman | Updated August 23, 2010 – 12:00am
The Philippine Army in its banner claims that every soldier counts. Do they really count?
In the history of the military service, which I believe was patterned after the American system (although made to fit our needs and culture), men have been trained to respect the rule of law and the code of conduct – from grooming, uniform/dress code, behavior, rules of the house, rank and order, chain of command, esprit de corps (military morale), etc. The basic salute is a sign of utter respect toward the country, the leader and a person of great honor or higher rank.
If the military or the armed forces for that matter (including the PNP) have trained their young soldiers to be morally upright and obey the chain of command, then shouldn’t they protect their system to the highest honor and not stain it?
Gone are the days of military coups. Junior officers and their senior gurus who are disgruntled with the way things are happening in the Army are planning hi-tech ways of eliminating the dirty traditional generals who are playing vicious games.
Our young soldiers who believe in honor and justice; in the dignity of man; in the inherent rights of an individual; in liberty and democracy; and have unwavering loyalty to all those sacred ideals have now come to grips with reality. When P-Noy said, “Gone are the days of politicizing the military”, they thought that this declaration will set the tone for a military organization free from political intervention. But alas! They were wrong.
We are now faced with the realization that those who once believed in giving his life for country wants to see that he gets a chance to enter the ranks and be placed in positions he deserves through hard work and discipline and not through the “barkada” system. Can you imagine how frustrating it is for a military man who is removed from a position simply because he does not have the “right connection”?
I was recently given a list of officers who will be or have already been replaced last week. Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin (former PSG Commander of Cory) appears to be micromanaging the Army. I hope I am wrong. Well, if he wants to reorganize the military then he needs to put a clear standard of how officers are chosen to the positions (based on qualifications and criteria), so that the soldiers will understand instead of think ill of his intentions. But why are they unhappy with how he is handling the situation?
There seems to be a lot of speculation going around that the people Gazmin has been placing in the various staff positions are those close to him. I think he better clear this out – not good for an officer with a distinguished position in government.
The question of many junior officers in the Army is: Why is the present administration allowing Gazmin to break the chain of command? Is P-Noy really encouraging his men to overule or break the standards set in such offices? Will he allow his men to bring down the morale of the military by direspecting the rank system.
In every institution, only those who fail to perform are demoted. In the present case of the Army, it seems that those in vital positions and who are performing well are the ones being transferred. If an existing staff is doing well in his position and someone else wants to put another person in that position, then, they must wait until the next level is open. But what is happening is that they are being kicked out for no apparent reason – or is there?
For instance, Col. Edmundo R. Pangilinan was recently replaced by Col. Donato B. San Juan as G1 ( Deputy for Admin /Personnel). Why will they remove Pangilinan from the position when he is efficient, experienced and had no bad record? Is he being re-positioned to accommodate San Juan?
These junior officers even say that from the time of Esperon, Ibrado and Bangit, the Commanding Generals of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force had the discretion to choose their own staff. But this time, it seems that the Secretary of National Defense is the one positioning them.
I wonder how these Commanding Generals feel? Of course they will always be an officer and a gentleman. But what lies truly in their hearts – will never be known to us.
Last week, a group of junior officers wrote a list of indicators that express their present sentiments toward the present system under P-Noy. They wrote: “From the systems oriented era of having civilians at the helm of the Defense Department, we now have a retired military officer whose concept of defense is as antiquated as he is; whose expertise may be effective at the tactical-operational level, but never at the realm of policy and strategy, and who only looks after the welfare of the men who once served under him; from a merit based promotions system, we now have a host of senior officers grabbing positions like these are spoils of war. And while there is a career path for officers to follow, some have rushed to assume positions without regard of this professional path, at the expense of those more deserving and qualified. These officers we have marked and will keep track of even after their retirement; the Board of Generals (BOG) that is supposed to screen and recommend Generals and Flag Rank Officers for major positions has now been relegated to the “bored generals”. Meetings don’t happen anymore, but resolutions get issued detailing movement of officers to higher positions, officers who once served under the Secretary of National Defense and lastly, the same can be said at the major services level. The Board of Senior Officers (BOSO) is supposed to screen and recommend to the BOG officers for senior positions within a particular Branch of Service. This is not the case anymore. The Secretary of National Defense with all his micro and tactical wisdom interferes to promote those who do not deserve to be promoted, thus underlying the function of the BOSO”.
These officers stayed true to the Constitution during their Junior and Middle-grade days, hoping that by doing so, they can live to see a professionalized AFP. But sad to say, at the last and final chapters of their careers, they may never realize their dreams.
We hear sad stories of soldiers fighting in the battlefield, sacrificing personal dignity and dedicating their lives to a country who continues to ignore their plight. They are sent into combat without the right gear and no night-flying helicopters available to pluck them out of the field of combat, when they are bleeding to death in the darkness from the wounds contracted on the battlefield. Does every soldier’s life really count?
P-Noy, will you shatter the dreams of these men in uniform? How can you make public service attractive if people see no future in it? Trust and performance are connected. If government agencies do not perform to high standards, they cannot attract the best people.
You need to set the stage for new governance – that divine light must cast off on all human relations (politicking), setting off in all their beauty and strength the fundamental principles of right and duty, of justice and virtue, chastening and invigorating patriotism in each of your public servants. You should instill in us unity, and consequent strength, national consciousness and a common national destiny.
The soldiers of our country yearn for true leadership. Soldiers are the same everywhere. They will fight and die for their country – until and unless the country lets them down.
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http://www.malaya.com.ph/08112010/news2.html
Gazmin tagged as AFP ‘morale destroyer’
BY VICTOR REYES
THE Armed Forces yesterday reiterated its call to its officers to go through the grievance mechanism in the military in airing their complaints.
The call was issued following the release of a manifesto from “concerned officers” questioning the military’s promotion system which they said is no longer based on qualifications but on the dictates of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, a former Army chief.
The manifesto said members of the Board of Generals which deliberates on the promotions and designations of generals and flag officers have turned into “bored generals.”
“Meetings don’t happen anymore, but resolutions get issued detailing movement of officers to higher positions, officers who once served under the secretary of national defense,” the manifesto said.
AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David worked under Gazmin when the latter was head of the Presidential Security Group during the time of President Corazon Aquino.
Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta, AFP spokesman, challenged the officers behind the manifesto to surface and present evidence before the grievance mechanism.
“Come out in the open, we have the venues and opportunity that are available to you. We have the grievance mechanism system. We have the chain of command which is available. What’s important is they come out, give out their names and give us specifics,” he said.
“It’s hard to get just this piece of paper with nothing really to it. These are just allegations that can be made by anyone. We need names and we need additional details before we move on and use this as basis for further investigation,” he added.
Mabanta implied the manifesto did not come from officers.
“Anyone can make a white paper, even the traditional enemies of the state can make that nowadays,” he said.
Mabanta said the recent designations of officers to key positions went through a selection process, starting with the Board of Senior Officers (BOSO) of the major services (Army, Navy, Air Force) and the AFP Board of Generals (BOG) and subsequently referred for approval of the President, through the office of the defense chief.
Mabanta said Gazmin is not consulted in the selection process because he is not member of the BOSO or BOG. However, he said there may be instances where the defense secretary recommends officers for consideration for promotion, just like other sectors of the society.
In the three-page manifesto, the “concerned officers” said they thought President Aquino would keep his word to stop the politicization of the Armed Forces. “This early, we know we were wrong,” the unsigned document read.
“While some of our comrades in the past chose the unconstitutional paths, we opted to obey the chain of command. And while it seemed difficult to see a comrade in battle serving the other side of the political fence, we remained constitutional from the mid 80s up to present time. All because we believe we are professionals,” they said.
The manifesto said there are developments that do not bode well for the military establishment, including the appointment of Gazmin as defense secretary.
“From the systems-oriented era of having civilians at the helm of the defense department, we now have a retired military officer whose concept of defense is antiquated as he is; whose expertise may be effective at the tactical-operational level, but never at the realm of policy and strategy; and who only looks after the welfare of the men who once served him,” the manifesto said.
The officers said that during their days as junior and middle grade officers, they upheld the Constitution, hoping they would see a professionalized AFP. However, they said their dream may not be realized.
The sentiments of the officers seemed to jibe with those of National Capital Region Command chief Rear Adm. Feliciano Angue who revealed last week that senior officers who took sides in the May 10 elections are now reaping the fruits of their politicking.
Angue has asked the Truth Commission to investigate these officers, who he said include a number of classmates at the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978, together with those who were involved in the rigging of the results of the 2004 presidential elections.
Angue was issued a gag order by David Wednesday last week, through AFP vice chief Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu. The following day, David sent Angue a letter asking the latter to explain why no administrative or disciplinary action should be taken against him for his remarks.
On Friday, David issued a written memorandum to Angue due to what he described as “uncalled-for public statements.”
In the memorandum, David said Angue made certain statements before the media against corruption, anomalies and irregularities in the AFP, and his call for the investigation of key commanders engaged in the last elections.
“Rest assured that as the (AFP chief), I fully support, adhere, and go with your advocacy, particularly in ridding out the organization from graft and corrupt practices with the end view of cleansing the ranks, and for the answerable to be brought and prosecuted before the bar of justice,” David said.
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