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Lenin Moreno confirmed his total confidence in the Armed Forces
Posted On 21 Dec 2018
Ecuadornews:
The Chief of the Joint Command, General Roque Moreira, said that the country is experiencing a special moment of unity, strengthening and re-institutionalization. The renewal of the High Command was made based on respect for the processes and hierarchies of the institution. This was stated by President Lenin Moreno at the ceremony of change of command of the military leadership, at the Higher School in Parcayacu, Quito.
On December 5, the executive decree was issued by which General Roque Moreira Cedeño was appointed Chief of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces. In addition, General Javier Pérez Rodríguez was appointed commander of the Army; Rear Admiral Darwin Jarrin, commander of the Navy; and Brigadier General Mauricio Campuzano, commander of the Air Force. The President took advantage of the military act to express his admiration “and above all affection for the 41,000 uniformed brothers of the Army, Navy and Aviation.” “Thanks to all of you, on behalf of the 17 million Ecuadorians, for their daily commitment, discipline, professionalism and loyalty,” he added.
President Moreno said that they will always have the attention and consideration of the State and that it is pleasant to attend a relay in an atmosphere of transparency. “Gone are the imposition, the whims of power and the mistreatment of our military brothers; that should never have happened, “the president emphasized.
These words motivated the applause of the attendees. The Head of State commented that next year the Armed Forces Personnel Law and the Maritime Safety Law will be presented to the Assembly. “The Government will support any initiative that benefits their working conditions,” he said.
Similarly, he referred to the fact that the prestige and good name of the Armed Forces cannot be affected by the presence of bad elements. “They have our backing to investigate, punish and remove from their ranks, regardless of their rank, the uniformed involved in acts outside the law,” he said.
Moreno clarified that since May 2017 the Government has allocated important resources for the needs of the institution, despite the complex economic situation. He gave as an example, the progressive payment of the debt that the previous government had with the Social Security of the Armed Forces.
He also reiterated that the equipment will continue to improve, and the replacement of aircraft, ships, boats, vehicles, weapons, ammunition. “We will not skimp on funds for the care of the Armed Forces, as well as the Police.” The new head of the Joint Command, Roque Moreira, said that the military is respectful of the constitutional and legal provisions. “With absolute obedience to the legitimately constituted authority, we are an institution for the defense of the nation and we exercise it with professionalism.”
He stressed that his constitutional role is to protect the rights, liberties and guarantees of Ecuadorians, so he asked the soldiers not to allow the Armed Forces to be diverted from their very essence of serving the country. He agreed with the words of the Head of State in the sense that the country is experiencing a special and significant moment of unity, “of strengthening and re-institutionalization, to be up to the challenge of the new times,” he stressed.
He clarified that modern Armed Forces need to have capabilities that allow them to face new threats efficiently. The President of the Republic emphasized that the Armed Forces, in addition to modern ones, are inclusive because there are more and more female personnel in their ranks. “The Army has 807 women, the Navy with 558 and the Air Force with 471. Today they not only have a new mentality but a new democratic and supportive image,” he said.
Hence, at the discretion of the Executive, there is a commitment in the fight against enemies such as poverty, corruption, national and international organized crime. “Your President and commander in chief trusts you,” he concluded.
Office of the Prosecutor opened inquiry for audio filtration
The Minister of the Interior, María Paula Romo, indicated that a preliminary investigation was opened in the Office of the Prosecutor for the dissemination of an audio where President Lenin Moreno is heard talking about the kidnapping of journalists murdered by alias “Guacho” last April.
Romo indicated that it is very important to clarify in which place the securities were violated. It is very serious that an audio of the President has been cut off, cut out of context, without indicating the date. There is a lot of bad faith, because it is a conversation in the highest security agency of the State, it is not a matter of public information.
She clarified that the dissemination of the commentary by the Head of State, without specifying the date, “has caused doubts and suspicions regarding a highly sensitive issue.” The Secretary of Communication, Andrés Michelena, said that you cannot play with the security of the State and with the pain of families of the journalistic team.
This was indicated after the dissemination made by the portal La Posta of that audio. In an official statement, it was stressed that the recording corresponds to the 20th session of the Public Security Council of the State (COSEPE), on April 17, 2018, days after the murder of the journalists. (I)
