PINOY TROOPERS AFRAID OF MICROPHONES?

Army spokesman admits military lack ground-level spokesmen By ROGER M. BALANZA Filipino troopers can be as brave as any soldier in the world. In the battle against the Abu Sayyaf in Julu, in the fierce combat with the communist New Peoples Army (NPA) rebels in the jungles of Compostela Valley or in firefights with the secessionist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) elements in Central Mindanao, you can expect the troopers to stand their ground, comfortably at ease with their guns blazing. Guns, yes, real guns. They are like toys to our soldiers. But microphones? They tremble at the sight of microphones! Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos openly admitted this fact, as he moaned lack of able spokesmen for the military. Burgos on Wednesday in Davao City, welcomed local journalists in the Seminar on Media Orientation for public affairs officers of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command, as military attempts to strengthen media relations. Our troopers can handle guns easily. But they cringe at sight of journalists armed with microphones looking for an interview, he told Davao City journalists, who had complained instances of military officers shying away from making comments on vital issues. Journalists here also said lack of spokesmen hamper their efforts to get the military side. Burgos flew in here to attend the seminar for newly-established unit Public Affairs Office (PAO) under EastMinCom, which is composed of the 6th Infantry Division operating in Central Mindanao and the 10th Infantry Division with Southern Mindanao as its area of responsibility. Also attending the seminar were Lt. Col. Patricio Asto, 6th ID PAO head, and Captain Emmanuel Garcia, chief of the 10th ID PAO. Our troopers find their work an easy job. But being spokesmen is one that they try to avoid, Burgos said. Burgos however assured military would be transparent in dealing with media but asked that protocols be followed.         

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