Promoted general drops plan to sue whistle-blowing priest

Manifesting magnanimity in victory, newly promoted Maj. Gen. Romeo Dominguez, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division based in Catbalogan, Samar, announced yesterday he has dropped his plan to sue Fr. Cirilo Nacorda who has accused him of taking bribes from Abu Sayyaf kidnappers in Basilan.

Dominguez wished, however, that Nacorda, parish priest of Lamitan in Basilan, would be transferred elsewhere.

Testifying in a joint congressional inquiry on the hostage crisis in Basilan, Nacorda charged that on June 2 last year, government forces led by Dominguez had the chance to capture the Abu Sayyaf bandits led by Abu Sabaya and Khadaffy Janjalani who were holed out in a hospital in Lamitan.

The troops had reportedly cordoned the hospital compound, sealing off any escape route for the terrorists who had just arrived with their 20 hostages from the upscale resort of Dos Palmas in Palawan on May 27.

However, the terrorists were able to escape under cover of darkness, raising suspicions that they bribed their way to the safety of their jungle lairs.

Dominguez said he would rather forget the controversy since he has been virtually cleared of any misdemeanor through his promotion. "I see this (promotion) as a vindication and recognition of my more than 35 years of commissioned military service."

He viewed Nacorda’s charges as "water under the bridge."

"My conscience is clear and I could say that in the vicious pattern of putting labels on the action of soldiers, the truth will always bear us out and proved innocent in these wild accusations," Dominguez said. — Ricky Bautista