Letting Garcia escape is a mockery in the Phl systems and laws-Kiko

By Jason de Asis

 

SEANTE OFFICE, Manila, January 5, 2011-Senator Francisco “Kiko” Pangilinan says that if Carlos Garcia escapes from the plunder case filed by the government, it would mean real mockery in the country’s systems and laws promulgated by the state.

 

That’s the statement of the Senator who noted that another midnight deal was being hatched by the office of the Ombudsman, government prosecutors under the Arroyo regime and the camp of comptroller Garcia for a plea bargaining that would allow the plunderer to take home half of what he stole from the public coffers the day that the government celebrated the anniversary of People Power.

 

Kiko cited former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo who pointed out that another court handling the case of Garcia has ordered the forfeiture of P175M in assets of the former general and that this would be nullified with the precedence of the plea bargain.

 

“Garcia took for himself at least P303 million and that is already a difference of P40 million,” Kiko said, adding that Garcia should not be allowed to go away scot-free and enjoy the rest of his loot, not be allowed to take home even a cent of what he stole, and should rot in jail and serve as an example to all would-be plunderers.

 

That would be a good example of a bad deed getting punished instead of setting a bad example of a court not doing its mandate.

 

Letting Garcia escape is a real mockery of the Phl systems and laws where the robber literally laughing his way to the bank! “This is a mockery of the very ideals we fought for in EDSA!,” Kiko concluded. (Jason de Asis)

Soldiers clashed with RHB in Zambales

By Jason de Asis

 

CAMP AQUINO, Tarlac City, January 5, 2011-Army troopers clashed with the underground Marxist-Leninist Party of the Philippines (MLLP) military arm Rebolusyunaryong Hukbong Bayan identified them as RHB last Monday at Purok 7, Brgy. Sto. Rosario,  Masinloc, Zambales around 5:20 in the afternoon.

 

Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) spokesman Major Rosendo Armas said that the lawless elements of MLPP/RHB are the rejectionist groups of the CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army) reaffirmed groups, rivaling in  extortion and other criminal activities in Pampanga and other parts of Central Luzon. 

 

Armas said that concerned villagers reported to the 24th Infantry Battalion the presence of the government enemies with firearms conducting house-to-house solicitation and harassment in the said place where one section of Alpha Company responded led by Army First Lieutenant McLloyd  M. Latris encountered  the group and immediately opened fire.

 

At this juncture, the MLLP-RHB scampered for their safety while the government troops conducted hot pursuit operation as of this report, adding that road blocks and additional checkpoint are now in place.

 

Armas said that during the effectivity of the 19-day ceasefire or suspension of offensive military operations (SOMO) from December 16, 2010 to January 3, 2011 the government forces have been on defensive mode. However, the SOMO covered only the NPA as a gesture of good faith or confidence-building measure in preparation for the forthcoming peace talks in Norway.  Abu Sayyaf and other terror groups were not included. (Jason de Asis)