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By JC BELLO RUIZ
January 22, 2011, 8:44pm
MANILA, Philippines — Amid the scandals involving uniformed officers of the police and the military, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay on Saturday called on the alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to rise to the challenge and teach discipline by example among their men.

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.”