Business as usual in military under Aquino rule

This is a reaction of the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers to the promotion of another high-ranking military official accused of having a hand in the torture of the Morong 43. Brig. Gen. Aurelio Baladad reportedly has been promoted recently to Army division chief despite the fact that he is facing several charges in connection with the controversy.

Once again, this demonstrates unmistakably that in this country, when you violate rights you get a pat on the back. This bodes ill of more violations as perpetrators just get promoted or reassigned. Those who make illegal searches and arrests or torture and beat up rallyists might as well carry with them preminted medals and glossy draft promotion papers complete with seals when out with a roving band.

Does the government still wonder why the people do not trust the military and see its claims that it respects rights as unmitigated barefaced, scripted lying-through-the-teeth?

President Aquino will reap what he sows in tolerating or even blessing this outrage. Is the Commission on Human Rights looking the other way as in past military promotions? With Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out partying and fugitive retired general Jovito Palparan remaining elusive, it’s “business as usual under new government.”

—EDRE U. OLALIA,

secretary general,

National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers,

[email protected]