Rebel priest hallucinating

By MajGen. BONIFACIO B. RAMOS, AFP
Commanding General, 8th Infantry Division, PA
June 18, 2006

"...either individuals or “legal organizations” (the military included) are neither "above the law” nor exempted from any constitutional prosecution if there are crimes committed."

This in reference to the article published in the Leyte-Samar Daily Express News on June 14, 2006 entitled: “NDF hits Gen. Ramos for advocating martial law”, written by Staff Writer, Miriam Garcia Desacada.

Foremost, the 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army would like our freedom loving people know that the military might be the first organization to go up against a, declared or undeclared, martial law. We have learned martial law’s sad lessons from the past and I categorically say that if there is an institution, which abhors martial law to the fullest, it is the military.

The words of Santiago Salas (if he has indeed stated) that attacks are directed not only on the armed revolutionary movement, but also for the legal democratic movement is again another deceiving statement intended to confuse the public.

This command would like to make it clear that it is the campaign (and not “attacks”) that would continue primarily against the armed communist terrorist NPAs and the “legal fronts” that are doing unconstitutional or illegal activities.

It should be vividly be analyzed that either individuals or “legal organizations” (the military included) are neither “above the law” nor exempted from any constitutional prosecution if there are crimes committed.

Committing an act of terror is a crime and anyone who “willingly” harbors criminals and “willingly gives support” for their illegal act (be it an illegal or legal organization) could be considered, by virtue of law, an accessory to the crime committed.

On the alleged “assassinations and reprisals against the legal democratic movement”. It is strongly recommended for Santiago Salas to file these cases in proper court. Failure to do this would only indicate that is again using the same old recycled issues for discrediting the government.

Santiago Salas is probably hallucinating to brag that his movement has hundreds of thousands of supporters and sympathizers. It is self-serving and it is only meant to, as I have said, confusingly deceived the public that they have the support and strength (?).

And of course, he has to offset his remaining companions’ diminishing morale – that’s the other purpose.

Lastly, let me assure our fellowmen that 8th Infantry Division, Philippine Army will always be committed to our mandated task of safeguarding you and our constitution.