AFP says ‘no overkill’ in Tiamzon arraignment

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command has denied claims that it overspent in last Monday’s arraignment of top communist leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon in Toledo City.

Lieutenant General Nicanor Vibar, CentCom commander, said the pronouncements of the Tiamzon camp that what they did to the couple and five others was “overkill” was just meant to discredit their organization.

He said several military and police officers were deployed within the vicinity of Palace of Justice to prevent possible rescue and assassination attempts.

“Palagay ko propaganda ‘to to discredit the armed forces. Hindi po kami papayag na may mangyari sa kanila. Di namin papayagan na di sila makaabot sa arraignment,” said Vibar.

They may have been overprotective, Vibar said, but it was definitely the best thing they could do.

He said that the mode of transportation used – a Fokker plane and helicopter – are the cheapest but the most effective, explaining that the couple could not be transported via a commercial plane because they were considered flight risks.

Vibar said that the Tiamzons were transported from Villamor Air Base to Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base via Fokker plane, which happened to have other missions in the area.

As far as Vibar knows, each flight of the Fokker plane costs around P30,000.

The couple and five others, whom authorities arrested March in the boundaries of Carcar City and Aloguinsan town, did not enter any plea during their arraignment for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

The Tiamzons face 15 counts of murder and a separate case for illegal possession of firearms. —(FREEMAN)