DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered on Thursday, January 28, 2021, the immediate relief from post of the military intelligence chief over the publication of an erroneous list of University of the Philippines (UP) students who died or were captured during operations against the New People’s Army (NPA).
Major General Alex Luna, Armed Forces of the Philippines deputy chief of staff for intelligence, was relieved due to negligence.
“The publication of an erroneous list, originating from his office OJ2, of alleged NPA killed by the military is an unforgivable lapse,” Lorenzana said in a message to reporters.
“His negligence only shows a lackadaisical attitude towards his job resulting in confusion and damage to reputation. We do not take these offenses lightly and I want to hold the people involved accountable,” he added.
The AFP Information Exchange posted on Facebook a list of UP students who allegedly jointed the NPA.
Some of those on the list, however, held a virtual press conference to deny that they had joined the NPA and announce that they were considering charges against the military.
The list has been taken down and the AFP Civil-Military Operations Office apologized. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)