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Saturday, May 24, 2008
Military chief vows not to release Mayuga report
MANILA -- Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano said he is not going to declassify and subsequently release the results of a military investigation against the so-called "Hello Garci" generals.
Interviewed after a visit to the Philippine Air Force headquarters at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Yano said he is sticking to the decision of his immediate predecessor, retired General Hermogenes Esperon Jr., not to make public the Mayuga report.
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The Mayuga report contained the results of the fact-finding investigation against the generals, including Esperon, for alleged involvement in the rigging of the results of the 2004 presidential elections. The board cleared the generals for lack of evidence and witnesses.
On Tuesday, former Navy chief Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga said he will not cause the release of the report, noting he is already a civilian.
He said the decision on whether or not to release the report is in the hands of the military leadership.
Yano, who succeeded Esperon as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief on May 12, admitted that he has yet to read the report.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had named Esperon as the new presidential adviser on the peace process, replacing now Press Secretary Jesus Dureza.
"There is no need (to release to public the report). I don't think so. That has been acted upon by the previous leadership so I don't think there is a need for it. As I've said, this has been acted upon by the previous leadership so I don't think there's a need for it, to revive whatever is the content," said Yano.
Shortly after the completion of the investigation, Mayuga briefly discussed the results, prompting many sectors to clamor for the release of the entire report, saying this is the only way to put a closure to the "Hello Garci" issue.
Told that among those who are seeking the release of the report is the group of officers implicated in the attempted power grab in February 2006, Yano said: "That may be their own opinion, but that does not necessarily mean that we will follow their opinion."
"I don't think I will have to uncover what has already been acted upon by my predecessor, no need for me," he said.
On whether he has already considered the issue as already closed, the military chief said: "I have not even opened it so no need to close, as I said I have not seen that report and I don't think there is interest for me to do it, I am starting anew." (VR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (May 24, 2008 issue)
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