Indonesia and the Philippines stand out in Southeast Asia as countries where generals – not health experts – lead their coronavirus response. One reason this is so is the view that a lot of information should be kept a secret, to avoid giving “ammunition” to government critics. Chaula Rininta Anindya, research analyst at the RSIS, said the military has a patronage system where soldiers nurture trusted circles. While on the one hand, the patronage system allows soldiers to work more efficiently together, there is the danger they might keep information for themselves.