Don’t discount the military

Joel R. Butuyan’s enumeration of President Duterte’s potential successors listed a Marcos, a Duterte, a Lacson, a Robredo, and the Communist Party of the Philippines (7/30/18).

In my mind, however, the columnist overlooked a specific section—or did he deliberately not cite it?

Are the conjoined major branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines—Navy, Air Force, and Army — not a force to reckon with as a possible successor to Mr. Duterte?

I am not pushing for the AFP to rule the land. I cannot discount the specter of intra-rivalry among the generals, admirals and young colonels on who will play a dominant role in the organizational hierarchy.

It is obvious that the AFP has the means and firepower to take over if the commanders of the trained and armed units would jointly decide to take action.

In considering who can be potential successors to President Duterte, I will not discount the military. Look at who rules our Asian neighbor, Thailand.

BOB GABUNA, [email protected]