Poe eyes ex-coup plotter as her anti-crime czar

MANILA, Philippines – If elected president, Grace Poe will name an anti-crime czar – former coup plotter and retired Marine colonel Ariel Querubin.

Asked during the second presidential debate in Cebu on Sunday, March 20, about how her presidency would end criminality, the senator cited the inadequate number of policemen who are running after criminals. 

To address this, Poe said she would appoint an anti-crime czar and named Querubin, who has limited experience in combating crime. 

Querubin, a 1979 graduate of the Philippine Military Academy, joined the Marines, the ground forces of the Philippine armed forces tasked to fight Muslim rebels and communist guerrillas. For his accomplishments in the battlefield, he received a Medal of Valor award, the highest combat award given to a soldier.

Querubin was implicated in the December 1989 coup that almost brought down the government of then President Corazon Aquino, and was again involved in a botched mutiny against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

Querubin was granted amnesty for his involvement in both. 

After his retirement, Querubin joined San Miguel Corporation as one of its security consultants. SMC is owned by Ramon S Ang, a known supporter of Poe. One of Querubin’s stepsons, Martin Loon, is also with Poe’s campaign. (READ: Poe’s youth army: When politics gets in the way of friendship)

The other candidates who joined Sunday’s debate – Jejomar Binay, Rodrigo Duterte, and Manuel Roxas II – were asked the same question on crime. 

Duterte reiterated his stand on this issue: that he will do for the country what he has done in Davao. He did not say how, and he did not cite specific steps that would make him meet his 6-month deadline in putting an end to crime. – Rappler.com