Tag: Voltaire Gazmin

Amid rumors that Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin would be replaced next year, President Aquino heaped him praises during ceremonies to honor those who have battled with members of Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front in Zamboanga last month. He called Gazmin the “timon ng ating mga kawal sa tuwid na daan (the rudder that will steer the soldiers to stay in the right path). “

Aquino said when the Zamboanga siege happened, Gazmin immediately reported to him and did not hesitate to be in the frontline. He asked: “Sinong hindi matutuwa sa tulad niyang walang pinipiling panahon sa paglilingkod? (Who would not be happy with someone like him who knows no time when it comes to service?)

As he reminded soldiers of the supremacy of civilian authority over the military, Aquino recalled again (as he has recalled in past occasions) his traumatic experience during several coup attempts against his mother, Cory Aquino.