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Friday, October 08, 2004
Task force chief hits back, accuses dad of betraying public trust
By Ben O. Tesiorna
AFTER being accused of political repression by Davao City Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad, Task Force Davao chief Col. Eduardo del Rosario Thursday lashed back at Trinidad whom he accused of betraying public trust.
Del Rosario said Trinidad's action in joining the protest rally staged by the militants on Wednesday in front of Ateneo de Davao University "is something that the Department of Interior and Local Government should look into".
Del Rosario said as a public official, Trinidad is "duty bound to respect the bilateral agreement between the Philippines and the US on the Balikatan exercise."
He said Trinidad's move to join the protest rally against Balikatan run smack against her oath of office as a government official.
"As an elected public official holding exalted position, Councilor Trinidad must support, protect and uphold the interests of the government and the State against those who intend to overthrow it and destroy our democratic system," del Rosario said.
Del Rosario also branded Trinidad as the "spokesperson" of the militant groups in the city council.
"She was voted into office to do legislative work for the people of Davao yet her privilege speech the other day against Task Force Davao and my person made it appear that she is the spokesperson of the militant groups in the city council," he said.
"This is wrong and unfair. She should not tarnish the image, dignity and honor of the city council in furtherance of her well-known biases. To use the council and her position to protect and advance the deceptive interests of the militant organizations is highly improper and uncalled for," del Rosario said.
He denied using media mileage at the expense of the militant groups just to earn "pogi points" from his superiors.
"I am simply doing what is right in exposing the criminal acts of the militant leaders who are directly providing financial and material support to the New People's Army rebels. Support that can be used to kill soldiers and harass innocent civilians," del Rosario said.
Trinidad said del Rosario's understanding of public trust is "myopic".
"As elected officials, our mandate is to represent the people who voted us into office and carry their voices, express publicly their positions. The people of Davao City thru their barangay councils have given the Balikatan exercises a thumbs down. How do you suppose the elected officials to react? If we go against their (Dabawenyos) positions, that would be betraying public trust," Trinidad said.
"To peaceably assemble for redress of grievances is constitutionally guaranteed. To speak freely in such rally on a public issue is protected speech. To denounce government excesses in a speech is no different from Col. del Rosario saying in a speech that the government is pro human rights," she added.
(October 8, 2004 issue)
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