Tirad Pass Brigade welcomes generals’ revelations on extrajudicial killings

The Tirad Pass Brigade (TPB) welcomes the pronouncements made by a yet unnamed group of generals about their willingness to divulge evidence pointing to the culpability of the Arroyo administration and the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the extrajudicial killings of activists, as well as their collusion in other illegal matters, including large-scale anomalies involving AFP funds and electoral fraud.

We have read the news reports in the Philippine Daily Inquirer detailing their interview with at least two generals who spoke under condition of anonymity. We are glad that they have expressed their readiness to support the planned investigation of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on the killings of Leftist activists and provide him with “ammunition” for the investigation.

It is hardly a secret in the the armed forces that these killings are being carried out in accordance with government policy and upon orders of the top brass. The great majority in the armed forces are disgusted with these killings and can no longer stomach what is happening.

We are confident that once these generals start the ball rolling, more officers and enlisted men will follow suit. We trust that Sen. Trillanes will provide ample security and protection to those willing to testify, especially from the rank-and-file. We are confident that once Sen. Trillanes starts the investigation, others will be willing to submit their own pieces of evidence and testimony, including our comrades-in-arms who have been forced or misled into carrying out these heinous acts of murder.

By their courageous revelations and testimonies alone, they will be doing a great service to the armed forces and to the Filipino people. We hope this will eventually bring about a genuine and thorough cleansing and reform of the armed forces.

Maj. Rad Pasion
Spokesman, Tirad Pass Brigade (Democratic Movement of Concerned Officers and Enlisted Men)