Who will the army be securing, the people or the govt. from the people?

Nov 22, 2014 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
It is reported that Brigadier Mark Phillips of the Guyana Defence Force briefed his officers on the political situation in Guyana (Stabroek News 11/15/14), particularly as it related to President Ramotar’s prorogation of Parliament.
According to the report, the Brigadier emphasized the need for officers “not to become emotional but to remain vigilant and task oriented….We have a role to play as providers of our nation’s safety and security”. He quoted Section 5, Chapter 15.01 of the Defence Act which states among other things that “the Force shall be charged with the defence and maintenance of order in Guyana”.
Brigadier Phillips did not explain to his officers the origin of the circumstances that have given rise to conditions that will make Guyana unsafe and insecure. What if the same Government, through the act of prorogation and Defence Board directions that he is referring to, is the source of the problem? Is he prepared to take the necessary action to ensure safety and security?
Action to address this national problem would not be outside of his terms of reference; he has already addressed same, as well as there is support from Sandhurst, an institution from which the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has historical and organizational link, since the GDF is the post-independence evolution of the British Guiana Volunteer Force
The Sandhurst Military Guide on Developing Leaders – Pilot version 2012, paragraph 203 states clearly that:
“Effective leadership…is characterised by the projection of personality and purpose onto people and situations in order to prevail in the most demanding circumstances. For this to be moral, just and acceptable it has to be underpinned by moral values, which to be truly authentic, must be practised by all ranks.”
Does the Brigadier believe that supporting a minority government that has effectively disenfranchised the majority of the people by denying their elected representatives a right to represent them is a reason to send his troops into the street for defence and maintenance of order? Isn’t this a moral issue that the Brigadier must consider? Who will the army be securing the people or the government from the people?
The Brigadier may not want to address this question but maybe one of his Colonels should.
Keith Branch

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