U.S. Renews Support for Aquino After Military Shake-Up

The Reagan Administration, renewing its support for Philippine President Corazon Aquino after the latest shake-up in the armed forces, said Thursday that the Manila government “has made important strides toward solving the daunting problems” it faces.

In a formal statement prepared by the State Department, the Administration described as an “honest disagreement” outgoing Defense Secretary Rafael Ileto’s complaints that the Aquino government is doing too little to combat the 19-year-old Communist insurgency.

While paying tribute to Ileto as “a distinguished soldier and statesman,” the U.S. government seemed to discount his concerns. The Administration also praised Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, promoted from armed forces chief of staff to defense secretary, as a dedicated “military professional.”

An Administration official, who asked not to be identified by name, said that the switch seems to consolidate Aquino’s control over the military command structure. He said that Washington welcomes the development.

However, some non-government experts said the shuffle dramatizes the weakness of the Aquino government in the face of both the Communist threat and dissent within the armed forces.

“It is evident the Aquino government believes the only person it can rely on in the military is Ramos,” said Richard J. Kessler, a former University of the Philippines professor who is now at American University in Washington.