AFP hand in advocacy
group assailed

BY VICTOR REYES

THE Armed Forces yesterday confirmed the existence of Aagapay, a supposed advocacy group put up by the Intelligence Service of the AFP.

But it assured the public the advocacy has nothing to do with next year’s presidential elections as feared by some intelligence agents.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, chief of the AFP public affairs office, said Aagapay is not a group but plainly an advocacy espousing "belief in God, character-building and environment protection."

Quoting Isafp chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, he said: "It is not an advocacy group but in fact an advocacy. They are different things. When you say advocacy, you are organized and you have a mission."

The existence of Aagapay was disclosed by a supposed Isafp agent who identified himself only as "A32" and who alleged that Isafp officials are forcing its agents, particularly in Samar, to take their oath as members of Aagapay next month.

Sen. Francis Escudero said the military has no business putting up advocacy groups, "whether for the elections or any undertaking."

He called on the AFP leadership to look deeper into the matter as he said intelligence agents might be used in next year’s election under the guise of an advocacy group.

"The Isafp, as part of the AFP, is a military institution and should not engage in civilian affairs. Its budget is limited to its primary mandate and no conversion is allowed to accommodate extracurricular activities," he said.

He added the military’s role in the elections is confined to security or logistics and only after it has been deputized by the Commission on Elections. "Anything other than these functions should be off limits," he said.

Brawner said the advocacy started within Isafp. "They encouraged their members (Isafp personnel) to read the Bible and Koran," he said.

Brawner said Isafp then reached out to civilians, including jeepney drivers associations.
Brawner said Prestoza thought of the advocacy because "he saw the need in the Isafp organization."

"It enhances even their intelligence gathering. It’s not for politics, that is what he (Prestoza) emphasized," he said.

Brawner said Prestoza stressed the advocacy is not for any political undertaking. "This is not a political group that will be used for the elections," he said, adding that Prestoza does not know the basis of an informant, identified as "A32," in raising fears the advocacy may be used for elections.

A32, in a letter sent to media outfits, said Aagapay is being promoted by one "Colonel Almaden" and rebel returnees – one Ka Ruben and Ka Ness from Luzon to Mindanao. He said Isafp is generating funds for the group through a golf tournament, the proceeds of which are deposited to the account of Almaden’s wife.

A32 said the objective of the advocacy group, including provision of livelihood assistance, may be noble but he questioned the group’s organization, noting that the election is approaching.  He said they fear that the advocacy group may be used for Isafp "political agenda" or in next year’s May elections.

He also noted that many non-government organizations are already into helping the poor.

Accompanying the letter of A32 were documents, proving that Aagapay is a group. Among others, he provided a membership form supposedly given out to those who are being recruited.

The document also showed that Aagapay holds office at VV Soliven Shopping Complex along Edsa, San Juan, near Camp Aguinaldo.

Brawner said Prestoza had presented the advocacy to AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado and the latter supported it. He said the cause was conceptualized following Prestoza’s assumption as Isafp chief last year but could not say when Ibrado was informed of the matter.

Brawner said under the advocacy, members are encouraged to start their day by reading the Bible or the Koran.

"You cannot find a unit in the Armed Forces, except Isafp, that starts its day by reading the Bible and the Koran. This is in line with their advocacy pushing character building and values formation, focus on the family, part of this is also helping the families gain livelihood," Brawner said. – With JP Lopez