|
Friday, January 20, 2006
Editorials: Case of the missing mutineers
The reported escape of four of the detained soldiers involved in the July 2003 can be considered an exciting material for a detective story or a mystery tale, whichever narrative genre would suit one’s taste.
Earlier, friends and kin of the “escaped” mutineers, as well as their legal counsel, have raised many questions.
They expressed, for example, not just concern over the safety of the four rebels but also of the motive behind the earlier report they were about to be transferred to another detention area for certain unstated reasons.
They fear harm might befall the “missing” officers.
Fear of relatives
The official report in the national dailies said that the four Magdalo rebels failed to present themselves during an inspection last Tuesday evening.
That generated fear among the relatives that something worse has happened to them.
The thought of their being transferred to another detention cell without reason further fueled the fear.
It is not an outlandish thought to fear for the life of the mutineers since they were known to have been uncooperative to the military investigators.
Criticism, suspicion
The Armed forces’ official releases to the media, however, did not find credence in reports about the possibility that the four missing men were “salvaged.”
For that, the Armed Forces is now absorbing public criticism and suspicion over the incident.
The apparent poor security extended to the Magdalo rebels in detention at the Army headquarters in Taguig, Rizal has rendered the Armed Forces vulnerable to that sweeping public criticism.
Were the escapees able to slip from their detention cells because of lax security?
Were they able to escape with the help of some “sympathizers” among their guards?
Or were they allowed to escape to get rid of them?
No answers
These are questions that could not be answered yet up to this moment.
But somehow, they have to be honestly and sincerely answered in order for the national leadership to stay above the suspicion that it was behind the escape to achieve an objective.
Indeed, it is a continuing subject of speculation.
But if the four missing officers surface in a few days and affirm their escape, the questions may be considered answered and the issue over their escape considered closed.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (January 20, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
