CA confirms promotion of 50 AFP officers

MANILA, Philippines - Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Luis Alano’s promotion and those of 49 other officers of the Armed Forces were confirmed at the Commission on Appointments (CA) yesterday.

However, Eduardo Alano, who was promoted to brigadier general, was left out of the CA’s plenary session.

Sen. Joker Arroyo made a manifestation on behalf of Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, who wanted to go over the promotion of Alano, but could not attend yesterday’s hearing.

Alano was not confirmed due to his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of activist Jonas Burgos.

Burgos’ mother Edita was present during the confirmation hearing, along with former lawmaker Satur Ocampo.

Mrs. Burgos had previously written the CA to express her opposition to the confirmation of Alano’s promotion to brigadier general.

“Because from the evidence that we gathered through the hearings and also the documents that we were able to get, I believe that he has a direct hand in the abduction of my son,” she said.

Mrs. Burgos has filed a case of kidnapping, illegal detention and murder against Alano.

Burgos has been missing since April 28, 2007 when he was allegedly kidnapped at the Ever Gotesco mall in Quezon City.

Mrs. Burgos said Alano, who was intelligence security chief, and Lt. Col. Melquiades Felician, Army 56th Infantry Battalion commander, had ordered the kidnapping of her son.

The two officers suspected her son of being an intended recipient of military information that Lt. Dick Abletes was supposedly passing to the New People’s Army in Bulacan, she added.

Mrs. Burgos said at the very least she was relieved that her appeal to the CA has been considered.

“But I am still praying that this small thing from which hope has burst will become bigger and all the victims will also get the same relief right now,” she said.

Senator Arroyo indirectly confirmed that the deferment of Alano’s confirmation had something to do with the Jonas Burgos case.

In 2005, three CA members opposed the promotion of Jovito Palparan Jr. to major general because of his notoriety as a human rights violator, he added.

Palparan  has since retired from the service. He has gone into hiding after the Bulacan Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for his arrest for the kidnapping of students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan in June 2006.