PMA MISTAHS, ALLIES: ANGIE 'VICTIM OF TRIAL BY PUBLICITY'
MANILA, FEBRUARY 9, 2011 (TRIBUNE) By Mario J. Mallari - For "mistahs" and allies of former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes, he was a "victim of trial by publicity" insinuating broadly that his death by suicide was caused by the public investigations into the massive corruption in the military, which some suspect is the military's means to get members of Congress to stop the probes being held simultaneously by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, before the massive corruptiion probe gets bigger and implicates more generals and chiefs of staff.
There are sectors holding the view that many more military officers, retired and active, could be linked to such massive corruption in the AFP and exploiting the suicide of the former CoS whle pointing the blame on Congress may lead to a stoppage of the probes.
His mistah from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1966, retired
Brig. Gen. Fred Bautista said Reyes was already adjudged "guilty" by the public while the investigations are still ongoing.
"Angie was a victim of the concept of democracy and justice wrongly applied. It appears he was being judged guilty even before he was tried. The way questions are asked, the way media write the stories. You are supposed to be innocent unless proven guilty," said Bautista.
"I hope what happened to him will serve as a lesson to our political leaders to respect human rights, what about mental, emotional," added Bautista.
Already, Sen. Gregorio Honasan, also a PMAyer, called the investigation in the Senate a "trial by publicity," and asked for a moderated hearing, such as holding these behind closed doors,
Honasan's suggestion was however, junked by senators, led by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, saying the probe must go on.
Media also tried to make the whistleblower take the blame for Reyes' suicide who had implicated him in the large scale corruption.
Retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa yesterday expressed sadness and deep loss over the death of Reyes.
"I am saddened because we were very close before, I consider him as an older brother. His two sons were my godsons, and they consider me a member of their family," said Rabusa, who said he did not expect Reyes to do what he did.
Rabusa appealed to the family of Reyes not to blame for him the tragic lost.
Retired Col. Manuel Espejo, president of the PMA Class of 1966, said he last talked with Reyes last Sunday by phone to inquire how he was doing amid the growing controversies about AFP fund mess during Reyes' incumbency as military and defense chief from 1999 to 2003.
"'Mistah, how are you,' I asked him and he said 'I am fine. There's no problem. I can handle this, don't worry. I might join you this Sunday,'" said Espejo.
Espejo said Reyes could have committed suicide to spare the AFP of further damage brought about by the ongoing investigation.
"I can only speculate, possibly he wants to spare the hierarchy of the AFP. How will it look if a commander is not followed by his soldiers, they are like headless chickens. That is the implication of these. That might be a reason," said Espejo.
Espejo said Reyes was like a brother to his classmates.
"He was a soldier. He fought for the country. We remember him as a brother. It's more than being a hero for us," said Espejo.
Another member of the PMA Class of 1966, retired Commodore Jose Agudelo echoed the sentiments of his mistahs toward Reyes, who also served as defense, interior and local government, environment and natural resources and energy secretary during the nine-year tenure of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo.
"There are some of us who value pride and dignity more than life itself. Perhaps he's one of those who values pride and dignity more than life itself. And he found out if this thing continues, this would degrade the AFP, it's like being eaten up by termites. Maybe he sacrificed himself," said Agudelo.
For active officers who served under Reyes, they were one in saying that Reyes is among the "most misunderstood" person.
The national Flag was immediately put at half-mast in Camp Aguinaldo after the demise of Reyes yesterday morning.
AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr. said the AFP general headquarters has already started preparations for possible wake of Reyes in Camp Aguinaldo. He said military honors will be given to Reyes.
While extolling Reyes for his professionalism as a soldier and public servant, allies of the fallen military officer yesterday lashed at Reyes' critics saying their demonizing of the "hero of Edsa II Uprising" left him with no choice but to take his own life.
"We join the family, friends and colleagues of Secretary Angelo Reyes in mourning his tragic passing. He served his country well in uniform and in the halls of government, particularly at a critical moment in our history when our people called for radical reform of governance, an extraordinary time that demanded extraordinary measures," referring to the Edsa ll revolt.
Former President Gloria Arroyo's eldest son, Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, said: "As former house energy committee chairmen, I had the privilege of knowing and working with him up close and personal...As a soldier, he was committed to protect the Constitution. As secretary of various government agencies, his work ethic was unquestionable," adding that it was Reyes' detractors who pushed him to his grave.
"To those who have ridiculed him, who have demonized him, who have hurled false innuendos against him and his family, who have embarrassed him in front of live television, to those who have hit him to up their political capital, it was them who have pushed him to his grave," said Mikey. "Those who have not sinned, cast the first stone."
San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, son of former president Estrada also called on the people to give Reyes' family time to mourn his death. "Whatever it is, the death if Angie Reyes is tragic, we should give time for the family to mourn his passing," said Ejercito.
"Nevertheless, both the Senate and HOR committee hearing must proceed to find out the bottom of Fund Malversation in the AFP or the top of it," he added. With Charlie V. Manalo
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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