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Scout Rangers, Marines and Special Action Forces Officers under Investigation and Custody, in Detention, and/or Changed ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= Sen. & Lt. Col. Gregorio Honasan ================= ================= ================= |
Brig. Gen. Fancisco Gudani: A Soldier's Twillight Sen. & Gen. Alfredo Lim
Marine Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani bravely admitted that he was the mysterious general, then commander of the 1st Marine Brigade and Joint Task Force Lanao in the Lanao provinces, alluded to in that telephone conversation between a Comelec official and a high government official, who was relieved after the May 10, 204 election, obviously to insure that the would be away while the votes were counted, the election returns and certificates of canvass accomplished. He was the stumbling block to an operation to commit fraud in the elections in the South. He was replaced by a certain Army Col. Perino who flew in from Manila, while Gen. Gudani reported to his commandant, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel R. Teodosio, AFP, who assured him that he was not being received for cause. He was summoned by Flag Officer in Command, Vice-Admiral Ernesto de Leon, who instructed him "spend one week or 10 days in the city of play golf, or go to Boracay." Although he would be helpless, Gen. Gudani preferred to witness the massive cheating. Gen. Gudani resented his relief at that critical post-election phase and insisted on being reinstated. And he was. But only a week later, on May 20, 2004, the relief went through. He was obviously being watched, to keep him from disclosing whatever he knew about the testify before this committee on September 28, 2005, having been summoned, he was verbally ordered to ignore the Senate inquiry. However, he preferred not to be deaf and dumb, even if he knew his retirement from military service would be forthcoming on his birth anniversary, four days later, on October 4. Despite the gag order, Gen. Gudani, ignited the bombshell of the truth without cringing, devoid of qualms. It exploded beyond the four corners of the Senate, beyond Malacañang and this archipelago, pondered upon by our restive countrymen, as well as the astonished global watchers, believers in democracy. He recounted in forthright manner his protested relief, his dissent with the provincial election supervisor of Lanao del Sur on the abrupt change of assignments of election inspectors days before the polls, on alleged orders of a Comelec commissioner in-charge of Regions 4 and 5. He spoke of the delivery in two tranches of carton loads of P500 million for election funds, through helicopter landings somewhere in Mindanao, one or two weeks prior to the election. He told of his having received an admission of an aide who wanted to remain anonymous "for feat for his life and family", who actually counted and tied the cash in bundles; that the money was distributed to ensure the success of preferred national candidates; his certainty that the election in Mindanao was rigged, characterized by vote-buying that snuffed out the people’s will. It would appear that the election fraud was in Muslim areas, where the votes of Fernando Poe Jr were reduced to zero. It no longer the product of wild imagination, nor rumors and tales from graveyards. They are as real as the morally upright Gudani. The retaliation was swift. He was publicly censured for disobeying and defying an order of his commander-in-chief, supposedly embodied in a belated EO 464, of questionable legality, banning executives and military from appearing in legislative inquiries. General Gudani realized that by testifying, he could be indicted before a court martial even when he was about to retire, and had in fact retired on October 4, 2005. It is indeed ironic that this officer and gentleman, accomplished and honorable, was depicted as a villain, because he did not withhold facts revealing truths safely concealed in the Garci- taped mystery. It is not seldom that we acclaim heroism. We extol soldiers and policeman who fight and die doing their duty leaving behind bereaved widows and orphaned children. With all humility, I can say I was once a policeman who rose from the ranks to become Police Major General. I clashed often with death. I saw my comrades fight and die. We survived the ordeals of physical violence. It was not easy. But to face an enemy that espouses oppression and despotism testing one’s spirit and moral values is the worst form of struggle. It involves defending ideals, principles, morality and conscience. Gen. Gudani proved that battle could be won. Gen. Gudani and Col. Alexander Balutan deserve accolades. They were relived as Assistant Superintendent and deputy in the Philippine Military Academy and now face a crushed military career in the solitary confines of a prison. They face sanctions for alleged breach of EO 464. I do not find anything illegal or inappropriate in his actions when he appeared before the Senate. I am short of words to convey my admiration for his convictions and his desire to uphold truth and honor. But I feel bitter that a bemedalled officer, who served his country for decades, has been denied his retirement benefits and other compensations. I consider it a theft and an injustice in a soldier’s twilight. My heart grieves for Gen. Gudani, Col. Balutan and Capt. Marlon Mendoza because they had offered their lives for the motherland and are now pilloried because they are fighting for the truth. I believe the majority of Filipinos share my sentiments and are prepared to express support. As a gesture of reciprocating the courage, patriotism and gallantry of Gen. Gudani, Col. Balutan and Capt. Mendoza, I have asked our people to give at least one peso for the Fund for Truth. Millions of Filipinos contributing a peso each will restore, at least in part, the benefits due them. Shame on the thieves of the national coffers! Shame on the cheaters of elections, and shame on those who have no respect for the virtues of truth and honesty! =====================================
Who Is Gudani? Victor Reyes FRANCISCO Gudani, the Marine general who testified about electoral fraud in last year’s elections before the Senate yesterday, is a bemedalled and well-rounded officer with conceded integrity. After his graduation from the Philippine Military Academy in 1973, Gudani was assigned as commander of the 1st platoon of the 5th Marine company which was under the 1st Marine Battalion Landing Team. Gudani, who is now the assistant PMA superintendent, retires on Oct. 4 when he turns 56. Gudani is a recipient of five distinguished service stars, a Gold Cross Medal, an outstanding achievement medal, a Bronze Cross Medal and 11 military merit medals. Gudani finished a commercial pilot course in 1978 at the Philippine Airlines Aviation School, and obtained a Bachelor in Science degree on Theology at the Asian Theological Seminary. He has a master’s degree in business management from the Asian Institute of Management and another master’s degree in national security administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines. He also took courses abroad, including one on amphibious warfare with the US Marine Corps. Gudani was born in San Rafael, Bulacan. He is married to Ofelia Andrea Almoro Santos with whom he has two children – Ryan Francis and Karen May. A Marine colonel described him as a good officer with an untarnished career. "He is a credible officer. We have no problem with him, he has an untarnished image. It’s just unfortunate he did not become the Marine commandant," he said of Gudani. Another Marine officer, referring to Gudani and Lt. Col. Alexander Balutan, said: "(The) general sentiment is that the Marines are behind the two brave and honorable officers." A third Marine official questioned the relief of Gudani and the impending court martial proceedings against him, "Why? For what? For violating the specific instructions of GMA? Why won’t GMA allow them to talk? Are we not supposed to protect state witnesses and not punish them? Is this the rule of law?" he asked. Lt. Gen. Samuel Bagasin, the military’s AFP deputy chief of staff who was Gudani’s classmate at the PMA, said he and his classmates sympathize with the plight of Gudani, whom he described as a "good, God-fearing officer." "As classmates, he has our moral support but he is subject to military rules and regulations. We sympathize with his plight but he has to answer for his personal decision," said Bagasin =====================================
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Home | From the Soldiers | The Struggle for Change | Withdrawal of Support | The Armed Forces | The Nation | Issues and Concerns -------------------------------------------------- From the People | Soldiers of the People | About Us | Links --------------------------------------------------
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Three
weeks ago, the Senate’s Committee on National Defense and Security convoked
a hearing to investigate the infamous Garci-tape scandal and heard the most
telling revelation ever expressed in this chamber: the election fraud
perpetrated in the presidential elections of May 2004.