MANILA -- The Philippine Militaryユs top brass, Gen. Alexander Yano, dared on Monday the メunscrupulous merchants of political warfareモ to leave the organization alone in performing their duties to defend freedom.

メThe Filipino soldier understands his sacred duties and knows that intervening in political processes and conflicts while still in active service in the AFP is not one of them. To these unscrupulous merchants of political wares, I say leave the AFP alone,モ Yano declared in his speech during the 73rd anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo.

Yano assured President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that politicians have lost their power over the soldiers.

メThis enemy has enticed the ambitious to interfere in the realm of pure politics while still clad in the soldierユs uniform and while bearing the arms. Madame President, I am proud to say, that this enemy within the AFP has already been slain,モ he asserted.

Arroyo has faced a mutiny led by junior officers in 2003 and an alleged coup plot by senior military officers in 2006 since she took power after the militaryユs top generals withdrew their support for former President Joseph Estrada in January 2001.

メOur soldiers are on track. Our soldiers are focused. And the restoration of peace and freedom in barangays still under the waning influence of nemesis of democracy is definitely on schedule,モ Yano vowed.

Arroyo lauded Yano for keeping the military away from politics.

She also cited the success of the military in bringing down the number of communist guerrilla fronts from 107 in 2005 to 63 this year.

メOur troops have neutralized 150 of the most notorious communist insurgents, 58 Abu Sayyaf and Al Khobar operators and three foreign terrorists,モ she said in her speech.

Arroyo also said that the government is committed to restart the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which collapsed last August after the aborted signing of a landmark agreement on ancestral domain. Jasmine Solana/DMS