ESPERON’S LEGACY

The dictionary defines “legacy” as something that is handed down or something that remains from a previous generation or time. But General Hermogenes Esperon, Chief of Staff, retires today leaving behind a legacy of controversies that has transformed the AFP from being the protector of the people to being the protector of Gloria Arroyo. 

In 2004, if I remember it right, he was among those mentioned in the “Hello Garci” tapes, as one of four generals who allegedly facilitated the rigging of the results of the elections to favor President Arroyo.  He showed his loyalty when he refused to join Brig. Gen. Danny Lim and company in the February 2006 plot to withdraw support to the present administration.  This unwavering loyalty later earned him the highest post in the AFP heirarchy, second only to the Commander-in-Chief. 

The AFP under Esperon boasts that it has reduced the CPP-NPA into a negligible force.  This claim is self-serving to say the least, as it is quite impossible to actually verify on the ground whether such report is true.  What the AFP has accomplished so far was point its guns to people perceived to be supportive of the Left, resulting in the extra-legal killings of almost a thousand activists and human rights advocates. 

Esperon’s legacy?  The 28 detained officers led by Former Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda hit the nail right on its head with this statement: 

“Mister Esperon likes to fashion himself as the great “stabilizer.” He claims this to be his biggest accomplishment and legacy. But he conveniently forgets that the very cause of destabilization is he, himself. Before he points an accusing finger at anybody else, Mister Esperon should be made to realize that by prostituting the AFP, that by engaging in partisan politics and that by his canine subservience to a criminal gang, he had single-handedly fanned the flames of dissent.” 

A politicized and divided armed forces.  That is his legacy. 

On a related note, see how the Arroyo-Esperon tandem plays “god” to the confused 9 Magdalo junior officers.