Far From Neutral Notions - Philippine politics, culture and stuff

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
~Psalms, 23:4

“Why should they be afraid to come out?”

So asks military chief, Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., when asked about the safety of witnesses — not that there are any, yet — who could or would testify against soldiers implicated in the political killings and suppression that has become commonplace in the regime of GMA. This comes in the wake of the Melo Commission - headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Melo - tagging retired Maj. General Jovito Palparan as responsible, via the doctrine of command responsibility, for a fair share of the atrocities.

Really now, sir. You have to ask?

When the “president” is more than willing to suppress basic freedoms, ruthlessly squash political opposition and grip the Executive Branch with an iron fist, you have to ask? When the government looks the other way when its constituents are abused by a foreign power, you have to ask? When the military came down hard and fast on Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, the Batasan 5 and many others for trumped up rebellion charges, while Palparan retired in glory despite having long been accused of ordering the political killings, you have to ask?

Really? I know military intelligence has long been an oxymoron, but honestly, General, what do you take us for?

What witnesses there may be should be afraid to come out - this is no time for the summer soldier, the sunshine patriot. This is a government that we should be afraid of, because it is filled with people who, having lusted after power and getting it, will stop at nothing to keep it.

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