THE career of two rising military officials is now in limbo after one of them was fired by no less than Department of National Defense (DND) secretary, Delfin N. Lorenzana and the other, forced to resign his post, over the release of an error-filled list of 27 individuals who allegedly joined the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) while students at the University of the Philippines. As “proof,” some of them, the Armed Forces (AFP) claimed, were killed during previous clashes with the military.
In a statement last January 28, 2021, Lorenzana said he has relieved effective on that date, M/Gen. Alex Luna, the AFP deputy chief for intelligence (J2) over the fiasco.
“The publication of an erroneous list, originating from his office OJ2, of alleged NPA killed by the military is an unforgivable lapse.
“His negligence only shows a lackadaisical attitude towards his job resulting to confusion and damage to reputation.
“We do not take these offenses lightly and I want to hold the people involved accountable,” Lorenzana said.
He added the AFP should also issue a public apology to the victims (which the AFP already did last week).
The following day, January 29, 2021, M/Gen. Benedict Arevalo, AFP deputy chief for civil military operations (J7), announced he is also going “on leave” after taking responsibility on the incident.
“I am coming out and issuing this statement to reiterate what I have already said many times in my past interviews and I am saying it again that, indeed, the erroneous list was a mistake committed by J7 staff,” Arevalo told the media.
Atty. Alexander ‘Alex’ Padilla, former government chief peace negotiator with the CPP, during the ‘Report to the Nation’ media forum of the National Press Club (NPC) last January 29, the day Arevalo took his leave of absence from J7, said while he personally “commend” and “very much appreciate” the “bold and decisive” action taken by Lorenzana, those affected are still consulting with each other on whether to file administrative and criminal charges against the involved military officials.
“The legal option is still on the table,” Padilla told the forum.
Padilla’s name was among the 27 former UP students that appeared in the AFP’s “communist list.”
He also questioned why the AFP released the list to begin with. “What is the purpose, who are behind it,” he asked, as he urged the military and the security sector to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Padilla added that such list is not only disturbing but also “frightening” as it not only affects the lives but also, the “livelihood” of those tagged by the military.
He added the job of one of those in the list but whom he did not name, is now in peril at the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
“USAID is now questioning the guy why his name is on that list,” Padilla bared further.