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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider New intel, military officials to get credentials reviewed amid Midnanao secession plan 

New intel, military officials to get credentials reviewed amid Midnanao secession plan 

Published Feb 10, 2024 11:57 am

At A Glance

  • Members of Congress are set vet the credentials of the new Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief and the new Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander amid the calls for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines, says Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel.
  • Pimentel is assistant minority leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). 

IMG-e30004ad22a774a1e62598ed4def5707-V.jpgSurigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel (PPAB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of Congress are set vet the credentials of the new Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief and the new Presidential Security Group (PSG) commander amid the calls for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines. 

Thus, said Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel, Assistant Minority Leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA). 

“The CA has already received the appointment papers of Army Maj. Gen. Edmundo Peralta, the new ISAFP chief, and Air Force Maj. Gen. Jesus Nelson Morales, the new PSG commander,” Pimentel said in a recent statement. 

“They will be vetted by the CA’s committee on national defense chaired by Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo,” said Pimentel, whi is himself a Midnanaoan. 

Pimentel’s announcement came shortly after the National Security Adviser (NSA), Secretary Eduardo Año, denounced calls for Mindanao to break away from the rest of the Philippines, and warned that any attempt at secession would be met with “resolute force". 

The Mindanao secession is being floated by the group of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Aside from Peralta and Morales, three newly promoted Army major generals are also facing their confirmation hearings before the CA, according to Pimentel. 

The lawmaker named them as Major Generals Leodevic Guinid, Army vice commander; Allan Hambala, commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division; and Ramon Zagala II, chief of the military’s Civilian Relations Service. 

Pimentel said 22 brigadier generals from the Army, Air Force, and the Marines; five commodores, 174 colonels, and 11 naval captains (equivalent to colonel) are also pending CA confirmation. 

“All told, we now have a total of 217 senior military officers lined up for their CA confirmation hearings,” Pimentel said. 

“We would encourage the public to send to the CA Secretariat any information, written report, or complaints or oppositions to the appointees,” he added. 

The Constitution empowers the 25-member CA to examine the competence, fitness and integrity of key presidential appointees, including senior military officers from the rank of colonel, and to approve or reject them. 

The commission is composed of 12 members each from the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the Senate President as ex officio presiding officer.

 

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