TWO SUSPECTS IN KILLING OF MAGUINDANAO WITNESS APPREHENDED
I confirm that two individuals recently arrested by the Philippine National Police in Maguindanao are amongst the four suspects in the killing of Maguindanao massacre witness, Jessie. Bedo Pasawilian alias Bro Pasawilan and Morshed Salik Simpal were arrested Thursday, July 2, 2010, on the basis of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Ibrahim Banzawan for illegal possession of firearms.
Two witnesses, including an eyewitness to the killing, have positively identified the four shooters of Jessie. Both eyewitnesses are currently in the custody of CIDG ARMM. I have received reports likewise that a high-ranking official of the ARMM has been interceding to effect the release of the two suspects. One of those currently in custody and facing prosecution for 57 counts of murder is ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan.
Manhunt operations continue against two further suspects in the killing of Jessie. Until the PNP has apprehended or have declared that they have given up on the manhunt for the two other suspects, I will withhold the release of their names so as not to interfere with an on-going police operation. Meanwhile, I confirm that per consultations with CIDG investigators, the PNP has discarded the theory that Jessie’s killing was a result of a love triangle.
We note too that Jessie may not have died in vain. Secretary Leila De Lima has broken her silence and has confirmed that she met and heard the testimony of Jessie. She further added that the now deceased witness had to wait for three hours at her office awaiting for the DOJ Prosecutors to arrive. They never did. We are pleased likewise that amongst her first public pronouncements as Secretary of Justice was that she would to review, re-examine and audit the Department’s Witness Protection Program. We reiterate that this program is crucial to ending impunity as unless witnesses are given protection, they will not have the confidence to take the stand and to tell the truth.
Starstruck at Luneta
It was the first time I attended a Presidential inauguration. Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa was thoughtful enough to remember our nine years of constant struggle against “the evil one” and gave me two invitations to attend P-Noy’s and V-Nay’s oath taking at Luneta. My wife went berserk when she found out that we would be going merely two days before the event. Like most women, she panicked because she claimed that she had nothing to wear. I was only too pleased that men do not have this problem. Filipino men can only be thankful that a barong was the only attire expected of them in attending historic and formal events.
We were among the first to arrive in the grandstand. Excited as I was, I thought it prudent to arrive very early, thinking that it would be free seating. I was relieved when the ushers directed us to our designated seats. Turns out, the ticket that came with the invitation apparently contained a seat number similar to those in fancy movie houses.
What a sight it was. At least a million souls gathered to celebrate a new beginning. Being ordinary mortals, we were seated at the upper portion of the Quirino grandstand above the designated areas for VIP’s. Directly across the grandstand was a sea of humanity as far as Taft Avenue. What a treat it must have been for everyone to be part of that historic moment.
Maybe because of the fast-paced life that I have been living, I have not taken time out before to observe people. Arriving early on inauguration day enabled me to go people watching, a luxury that I have not had since my freshman year of pre-law in Diliman.
There were gorgeous women in abundance. I thought Gretchen Barretto and Lucy Torres-Gomez were like princesses. Tingting Cojuangco was ageless. And yes, the academic that I am, I have to say that James Yap is making the mistake of his life: Kris Aquino looked stunning despite her domestic concerns. There were VIPs all over the place. There were the two ex-Presidents, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, seated together but obviously ignoring each other’s presence.
Living icon and statesman Jovito Salonga was there with his lawyer son, Steve. There was the brave Chief Justice Renato Corona who I thought was a perfect sport and a gentleman for being there, despite the fact that it was senior Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales who administered the oath. There too were Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, the best chief justice that I hope we would still have, and one of my favorite jurists, retired Justice Adolph Azcuna.
I saw my colleagues in the parliament of the streets led by the Sisters Mary John Mananzan, Fely, and Cres, all still guarding the whistleblower Jun Lozada. Jun has become a celebrity in his own right with almost everyone wanting to have a picture with him. There were the street parliamentarians, spouses Paco and Gloria Alcuaz, the latter donning a native hat that would have put British royalty to shame. And of course, there were stars—many of them: Pokwang, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Marian Rivera , Dingdong Dantes, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, the APO Hiking society, Noel Cabangon, and my all-time favorite, Juana Change, among others.
In keeping with tradition, she whom we would now want to forget rode in the limousine with Plate Number 1 together with P-Noy. I thought that they arrived a lot earlier than expected , maybe because P-Noy ordered the chauffeur to make the ride as quick as possible. She then made her last review of the guards, was rightfully booed and shooed, before she set off on board her private SUV, not into the horizon, but hopefully to the Mandaluyong rehabilitation facility for women. Kudos to Akbayan for their bold roaming banner that read: “We will not miss you, GMA.”
The program then started with Charice Pempengco singing the national anthem the way it should be sung, with an angelic voice and none of the artistic license that has made the singing of the anthem controversial. Manny Pacquiao should take the hint and ask Charice to sing at his next gig at the boxing ring. Then there was an ecumenical prayer before a cultural show that I thought was a bit too long. At about quarter to 12, Justice Morales administered the oath to Vice President Jojo Binay and at exactly 12 noon, to P-Noy.
Then it was time for the highlight, the inaugural address. Speaking in Filipino, Aquino spoke in short and brief sentences, highlighting our everyday peeves such as the “wang-wang”, counterflow, and tong—hallmarks all and evidence of arrogance of the past administration. “This”, he said in Filipino, “marks the end of leadership that has been insensitive to the cries of the people”. He repeated his campaign slogan: “no poverty if there is no corruption” and gave the marching order to Secretary Leila de Lima to “proceed dealing with the problems of criminality”. Then came my favorite: “there shall be no reconciliation, without justice”. I was too pleased with what I heard that I was clapping like a child during the entirety of the speech even if at times, I was alone in doing so. Heck, his words sounded like colorful campaign promises, but spoken by one who has suffered so much, we were entitled to delight in them for the time being.
There was a pledge, which I thought was neither dramatic nor poetic enough, and lo and behold, it was over. My wife and I tried to beat the exodus of people by leaving the stand during the recital of the pledge. That too was a wise move because it took my colleague Romel Bagares half an hour before he could find his way to our agreed rendezvous at the Manila Hotel. It was more people watching at the hotel with the Aquino sisters and Shalani Soleded dominating the scene. I had a quick chat with Cory loyalist and now foster mother to the Aquino brood, Margie Juico and her hubby, Philip. And off we went, back to our normal, everyday lives.
Back home, my eight-year-old son who knows about the “bad” and the “good” President, said that he did not see me on television. That, I thought, was a good break!
