In a speech at the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI) Annual General Membership Meeting at the Tent City of the historic landmark Manila Hotel, Binay noted that there is a need to reflect on and reassess the issue of military discipline in light of recent reports of crimes allegedly involving uniformed officers.

The Vice President mentioned the reported cases of two Caloocan policemen using illegal drugs and another officer accusedof raping a vendor. Both crimes were reportedly committed inside police stations.

Binay also cited the plunder case against former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Carlos Garcia.

“Bagaman iba-iba ang kalikasan ng mga kasong ito, nagkakapareho sila sa kanilang pinag-ugatan – ang kawalan ng disiplina (These cases may vary in nature, but they are rooted on a common problem – the lack of discipline),” Binay said.

Binay added that lack of discipline among uniformed officers has made the public wary of their capability to protect and defend the nation.

“If our protectors and defenders lack the very value that will guide them in carrying out the duties and responsibilities they were sworn to do, what then will happen to this country and the Filipino people?” he asked.

Binay then urged the members of the PMAAAI to help inculcate and instill discipline in soldiers and police officers through personal example. He said PMAAAI members could serve as “valuable instruments in propagating virtue in our people.”

“I have always admired the PMA for the kind of leaders it produces. The academy, as the premier leadership school in the Philippines, has always been a proud Alma Mater of well-rounded alumni instilled with discipline – the kind that does not just entail one soldier to obey his superiors and a particular code of conduct, but that would also be practiced in living up to the institution’s ideals of integrity, courage, and loyalty,” Binay said.

“As PMA alumni and senior officials, you have the power to influence our young officers and cadets. They consider you as their mentors, who can serve as their motivation as they strive to become the respectable protectors and defenders that this country needs,” he added.

Binay cited the book titled “Principles of Leadership” which states that “good discipline depends on good leadership, not the other way round.”

“As PMA alumni and senior officials, you have the power to influence our young officers and cadets. They look up to you and hold you with great regard. They consider you as their mentors, who could serve as their motivation as they strive to become the respectable protectors and defenders that this country needs,” Binay said.

“As products of a premier leadership school, you can also be valuable instruments in propagating virtue in our people. Our society is laden with the cancers of greed, deceit, and contempt. You, who have been molded to uphold the ideals of integrity, courage and loyalty, can inspire them to follow your lead and be outstanding citizens that this country would be proud of,” he stressed.

The PMAAAI is composed of around 7,000 retired and active members of the AFP, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

During the meeting, PMAAAI conferred Outstanding Achievement Awards to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr., Philippine National Police Director-General Raul Bacalzo, former Philippine Navy chief Rear Admiral Danilo Cortez, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Reynaldo Mapagu, and Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz.

“May this award serve not just as additional feather on your cap, but also as a motivation to achieve more for the good of the Filipino people and the country,” Binay urged the awardees.

JC Bello Ruiz, Manila Bulletin