Posted in Vantage Point on November 3rd, 2005 1 Comment »
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said it was “disturbing”. But what was really disturbing was her being disturbed–and the Armed Forces’ making it seem as if, by posting or facilitating bail for a crime suspect, a broadcaster had himself committed a crime, or worse, would be implicated in any crime the suspect commits.
ABS-CBN’s Julius Babao has denied it. But if he did facilitate, ease, or even advance the money for the bail of one Tyrone del Rosario Santos alias Dawud Muslim Santos last April, why should Mrs. Arroyo find it “disturbing”–and why should the Armed Forces, not to mention one of Mrs. Arroyo’s favored media hacks, go all over town virtually accusing Babao of a crime? »
Posted in Vantage Point on November 1st, 2005 No Comments »
Left-wing and human rights groups blame Major General Jovito Palparan of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army for most of the murders of political activists, labor leaders, members of party-list groups, and ordinary folk suspected of links with the New People’s Army. But while he might indeed be culpable, the killings are likely to be state policy rather than the result of one man’s inability to appreciate human rights and the rule of law.
Palparan has never categorically denied involvement in the killings, and has ill-concealed his glee over them. He has said in so many words that like the New People’s Army, legal, unarmed left groups are legitimate military targets, which at the very least sanctions the assassination of their leaders and members, and at most implies military involvement. Two of the suspects in one of the most recent killings are also from his command. »